Supportive activities in oncological wards during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study

Abstract

Introduction. The oncology ward is a challenging and unique workplace due to physical and psychological stress that staff experience and the need for their support. Cancer patients and oncology nurses have many needs, and support is one of the basic ones. This study aimed to explore supportive activities in the oncology ward during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and methods. This qualitative study was conducted in Eastern and Southeastern Iran in 2020 and 2021 through a conventional content analysis approach. The participants included 21 (10 oncology nurses, 5 managers, and 6 cancer patients), who were selected through purposive sampling. To collect data, in-depth semi-structured face-to-face interviews were done. Interviews were continued until data saturation was achieved. After transcribing the interviews, the data were analyzed according to the steps proposed by Graneheim & Lundman. Results. The results consisted of three main themes and nine categories, namely the perceive of threat in supportive atmosphere in the oncology ward (cancer patients’ sense of desperation and need for support, difficulty of working in the department, close relationships governing the ward), Seeking support in the oncology ward (Professional support, patient advocacy), and supportive divergence (poor family support, perceived poor social support, unsupportive behaviors, Being far from the supportive standards of working in an oncology ward). Conclusions. The results of the study have shown that the supportive activities in the oncology ward during the COVID-19 pandemic are affected by various factors. The experiences of participants provide new insight into supportive activities around managing oncology wards supportive needs during such stressful times.