The Impact of the Early COVID-19 Global Pandemic on Children Undergoing Active Cancer Treatment and Their Parents

• Published in: Current oncology (Toronto) Vol. 30; no. 2; pp. 2441 - 2456
• Main Authors: Tran, Andrew, Hou, Sharon H J, Forbes, Caitlin, Cho, Sara, Forster, Victoria J, Stokoe, Mehak, Wakefield, Claire E, Wiener, Lori, Heathcote, Lauren C, Michel, Gisela, Patterson, Pandora, Reynolds, Kathleen, Schulte, Fiona S M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 01.02.2023; MDPI
• Subjects: active treatment; Australia; Canada; Cancer; Care and treatment; Child; COVID-19; Cross-Sectional Studies; Epidemics; Humans; Mental health; Neoplasms; Oncology, Experimental; Pandemics; Parents; pediatric oncology; Psychiatric services; psychosocial oncology; Surveys; Australia; Canada; COVID-19; psychosocial oncology; pediatric oncology; mental health; active treatment
• ISSN: 1718-7729; 1198-0052; 1718-7729
• DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30020186

(1) Background: The COVID-19 global pandemic has impacted people worldwide with unique implications for vulnerable groups. In this cross-sectional study, we examined the impact of the early pandemic on children undergoing active cancer treatment and their parents. (2) Methods: In May 2020, 30 parents of children undergoing active cancer treatment completed an online survey regarding the impact of COVID-19 on their child's cancer care, perceived utility of telemedicine, and child and parent mental health status. (3) Results: Most participants (87%) reported that they did not experience any changes to major cancer treatments. Among those who reported using telemedicine, 78% reported this to be . Over half of the participants reported that their child's mental health status was worse now than prior to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Parent-reported child anxiety scores were significantly higher for those who reported changes to mental health care for their child compared to those who did not report the same, (25.99) = -3.04, = 0.005. (4) Conclusion: Child and parent mental health status were affected when compared to pre-pandemic. Telemedicine appears to be a promising complement to face-to-face meetings for some families and warrants further exploration.