"We've Changed, the World's Changed": Leveraging Knowledge from COVID-19 to Improve Self-management for Cancer Survivors and Care Partners.

Abstract

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, cancer survivors and care partners navigated social interactions amidst the uncertainties of cancer-related vulnerability and risk. Vaccination offered a new tool for self-management yet created potential for conflict within survivors' and care partners' social networks.

Objective: We examined cancer survivors' and care partners' perceptions of the impact of vaccine availability on social interactions.

Methods: In May 2021, survivor and care partner participants in a prospective study of social support network interactions (N=64) were invited to complete an online survey about COVID-19 vaccination and record an audio diary describing the impact of vaccine availability. Descriptive statistics summarized demographic data. Audio diaries were transcribed, inductively coded, and themes developed and narratively summarized.

Results: Twenty-seven participants (42.9%) completed the survey and n=21 (33.3%; n=8 caregivers, 38.1%, n=13 survivors, 61.9%) recorded diaries. Eighty percent (n=21) of the sample received the COVID-19 vaccine. Two themes illustrated the impact of COVID-19 vaccines within a cancer context: Providing hope and Reconnecting with life.

Conclusion: Vaccination decisions allowed many cancer survivors and partners to reengage with their social networks. With limited guidance, many relied on their own knowledge, values, and experiences to determine how to preserve their health.

Implications for practice: Utilizing a shared decision-making model, nurses can help families develop strategies that enact their values to promote long-term health. Nursing education and support can be further strengthened to create patient self-efficacy when navigating social interactions in the post-COVID era.

Foundational: This study addresses the need for improved self-management strategies for cancer survivors.