Altered prerequisites: A cross-sectional survey regarding cancer care in Sweden during COVID-19 from the viewpoint of contact nurses in cancer care

Abstract

Contact nurses in cancer care were vital in sustaining cancer care in Sweden during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to investigate their experiences of providing care to people with cancer in these exceptional circumstances to identify emerging challenges and opportunities that must be addressed moving forward. A survey distributed to contact nurses was supplemented with questions regarding the pandemic. The study design was a cross-sectional survey, analyzed with descriptive statistics and content analysis, reported in accordance with STROBE. Almost half of respondents (n = 337) reported not being able to provide the same support as before the pandemic. Analysis of open-ended question responses (n = 232) revealed a main theme: Altered prerequisites for providing care. Three categories related to altered interaction, accessibility, and nursing reality were revealed. Thorough reflection is needed to make use of lessons learned and avoid sustaining the short-term solutions needed to cope with the acute phase of the pandemic.