A Rapid Systematic Review on the Experiences of Cancer Survivors Residing in Rural Areas during the COVID-19 Pandemic

David Nelson (), Samuel Cooke, Ben McLeod, Agnes Nanyonjo, Ros Kane and Mark Gussy
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David Nelson: Lincoln International Institute for Rural Health, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK
Samuel Cooke: School of Health and Social Care, College of Social Science, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK
Ben McLeod: Lincoln Medical School, College of Science, University of Nottingham and University of Lincoln, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK
Agnes Nanyonjo: Lincoln International Institute for Rural Health, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK
Ros Kane: School of Health and Social Care, College of Social Science, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK
Mark Gussy: Lincoln International Institute for Rural Health, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 24, 1-17

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused considerable disruption to cancer care and may have exacerbated existing challenges already faced by cancer survivors from rural areas. This has created a need for a rapid evidence synthesis to inform the development of tailored interventions that address the specific needs of rural cancer survivors who continue to be affected by the pandemic. The review was conducted following guidance from the Cochrane Rapid Review Methods Group. Database searches were performed via the EBSCOHost interface (includes MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO) on 25 May 2022 and supplemented with searches on Google Scholar. Peer-reviewed articles published after March 2020 that reported primary data on the experiences of cancer survivors residing in rural and remote settings during the pandemic were included. Findings were tabulated and written up narratively. Fourteen studies were included. The COVID-19 pandemic had a mostly detrimental impact on the experiences of rural cancer survivors. People’s individual coping mechanisms were challenging for a range of reasons. Specifically, the pandemic impacted on their ability to access testing, treatment, check-ups and supportive care, their ability to maintain and access social support with close friends and family, as well as negative consequences to their finances and emotional wellbeing with some reporting feelings of psychological distress including depression and anxiety. This review provides important insight into the experiences of rural cancer survivors that may help inform tailored support in line with the needs and challenges faced because of the pandemic.

Keywords: cancer survivors; cancer survivorship; oncology; rapid review; systematic review; rural health; COVID-19; pandemic (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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