Experiences of Social Isolation During the COVID-19 Lockdown Among Adolescents and Young Adult Cancer Patients and Survivors
Signe Hanghøj, Nina Pappot, Maiken Hjerming, Gry Assam Taarnhøj, Kirsten A. Boisen, Helle Pappot
Abstract
The participants in this study experienced loneliness, anxiety, lack of psychosocial support, and lack of physical contact. In addition, lack of rehabilitation and lack of support during hospital visits, which may specifically influence the disease trajectory, were reported. Thus, health care professionals have an important task to follow up on the AYA's well-being during and after the COVID-19 lockdown. A positive side effect of the lockdown period was the experience of getting a respite to recover physically and mentally after cancer.
Topics & Concepts
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Social isolationMedicineYoung adult2019-20 coronavirus outbreakSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)Survivorship curveIsolation (microbiology)CancerPandemicGerontologyPsychiatryVirologyInternal medicineBioinformaticsDiseaseOutbreakBiologyInfectious disease (medical specialty)Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of LifeFamily Support in IllnessCancer survivorship and care