TY - JOUR
AU - Khattak, Maria Ishaq
AU - Khattak, Saad Ishaq
AU - Khan, Muslim
AU - Khan, Zohaib
AU - Dikomitis, Lisa
AU - Ul-Haq, Zia
AU - Saddki, Norkhafizah
PY - 2022
DA - July
TI - Experiences of newly diagnosed oral cancer patients during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study from Pakistan
JO - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
VL - 19
IS - 14
DO - https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19148508
AB - The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the scaling back or postponement of non-emergency hospital services, including care of cancer patients. The present qualitative study explored the experiences of newly diagnosed oral cancer patients during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan. Patients who attended the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Khyber College of Dentistry in July 2020 were selected using a maximum variation purposive sampling method. Seventeen semi-structured interviews were conducted in Pashto, the local language of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. All interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and translated into English. Thematic content analysis yielded eight major themes: pain and generalised physical weakness, shock at diagnosis, psychological distress of the COVID-19 pandemic, faith and religion, double hit loss of employment, social isolation, social support from caregivers, and lack of support from health care professionals. In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has a clear impact on the life experiences of newly diagnosed oral cancer patients. Distress due to delay in accessing health care and lack of support from health care providers are a matter of great concern. Appropriate interventions should be introduced to ensure psychological and social support strategies are in place for patients during interruptions of health care services.
PB - MDPI
UR - http://eprints.gla.ac.uk/276647/
KW - Coronavirus (COVID-19)
KW - Mental health and wellbeing
ER