The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Cancer Care and Health-Related Quality of Life of Non-Hispanic Black/African American, Hispanic/Latina and Non-Hispanic White Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer in the U.S.: A Mixed-Methods Study Protocol

Chiara Acquati, Tzuan A. Chen, Isabel Martinez Leal, Shahnjayla K. Connors, Arooba A. Haq, Anastasia Rogova, Stephanie Ramirez, Lorraine R. Reitzel and Lorna H. McNeill
Additional contact information
Chiara Acquati: Graduate College of Social Work, University of Houston, 3511 Cullen Blvd, Houston, TX 77204, USA
Tzuan A. Chen: HEALTH Research Institute, University of Houston, 4849 Calhoun Road, Houston, TX 77204, USA
Isabel Martinez Leal: HEALTH Research Institute, University of Houston, 4849 Calhoun Road, Houston, TX 77204, USA
Shahnjayla K. Connors: Department of Psychological, Health and Learning Sciences, University of Houston, 491 Farish Hall, Houston, TX 77204, USA
Arooba A. Haq: Department of Psychological, Health and Learning Sciences, University of Houston, 491 Farish Hall, Houston, TX 77204, USA
Anastasia Rogova: Department of Psychological, Health and Learning Sciences, University of Houston, 491 Farish Hall, Houston, TX 77204, USA
Stephanie Ramirez: College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Houston, 3507 Cullen Blvd, Houston, TX 77204, USA
Lorraine R. Reitzel: HEALTH Research Institute, University of Houston, 4849 Calhoun Road, Houston, TX 77204, USA
Lorna H. McNeill: Department of Health Disparities Research, The UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 24, 1-16

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has had critical consequences for cancer care delivery, including altered treatment protocols and delayed services that may affect patients’ quality of life and long-term survival. Breast cancer patients from minoritized racial and ethnic groups already experience worse outcomes, which may have been exacerbated by treatment delays and social determinants of health (SDoH). This protocol details a mixed-methods study aimed at comparing cancer care disruption among a diverse sample of women (non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black/African American, and Hispanic/Latina) and assessing how proximal, intermediate, and distal SDoH differentially contribute to care continuity and health-related quality of life. An embedded mixed-methods design will be implemented. Eligible participants will complete an online survey, followed by a semi-structured interview (with a subset of participants) to further understand factors that influence continuity of care, treatment decision-making, and self-reported engagement. The study will identify potentially modifiable factors to inform future models of care delivery and improve care transitions. These data will provide the necessary evidence to inform whether a subsequent, multilevel intervention is warranted to improve quality of care delivery in the COVID-19 aftermath. Additionally, results can be used to identify ways to leverage existing social resources to help manage and support patients’ outcomes.

Keywords: COVID-19; health disparities; health-related quality of life; cancer care; cancer care disruption; care transitions; breast cancer; women’s health; ethnic and racial minorities; mixed-methods design (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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