Cancer patients’ needs for volunteer services during Covid-19: a mixed-method exploratory study
Abstract Introduction To date, there are no known studies that have investigated the new need for volunteer services among cancer patients during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, it is essential for volunteer associations to heighten such knowledge to best guide their offer in this challenging period...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2023-12-01
|
| Series: | BMC Psychology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-023-01453-3 |
| _version_ | 1797276195582115840 |
|---|---|
| author | Sara Alfieri Laura Gangeri Simonetta Sborea Claudia Borreani |
| author_facet | Sara Alfieri Laura Gangeri Simonetta Sborea Claudia Borreani |
| author_sort | Sara Alfieri |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Introduction To date, there are no known studies that have investigated the new need for volunteer services among cancer patients during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, it is essential for volunteer associations to heighten such knowledge to best guide their offer in this challenging period. Aim The present study aims to provide a mapping of the cancer patients’ needs for volunteer services followed at Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori in Milan (Italy) during the Covid-19 pandemic. Since there are no specific questionnaires for this purpose, we created an ad hoc tool for which we report the preliminary result. Method We used a mixed-method multiphase approach. Phase I: in April-May 2020 40 ad hoc paper questionnaires were distributed at the entrance of the aforementioned hospital, with the aim of investigating patients’ needs through two open-ended questions then analyzed through thematic analysis. Phase II: the contents that emerged from Phase I were transformed into items and submitted to the judgment of a small group of “peers” (patients) and “experts” (professionals) in November-December 2020 to evaluate their comprehensiveness, representativeness and intrusiveness. Phase III: in January-February 2021 paper questionnaires, containing the items reviewed in Phase II, were distributed within the hospital to a representative sample of cancer patients. We applied descriptive statistics, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Cronbach’s Alpha. Results 32 patients completed Phase I, 3 “peers” and 9 “experts” participated in Phase II, 214 patients completed the questionnaire in Phase III. EFA highlights five kinds of needs during the Covid-19 pandemic, in order of priority: (1) need to be supported at the hospital; (2) need for emotional support; (3) need for daily errands; (4) need for practical support to family members; (5) need to share free time. Preliminary results on the tool are encouraging, although further studies are needed. These results will allow local volunteer associations to adapt their services during the pandemic. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T15:24:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-831b9407e5e04e6e832bdb5f6700f348 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2050-7283 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T15:24:53Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-831b9407e5e04e6e832bdb5f6700f3482024-03-05T17:09:43ZengBMCBMC Psychology2050-72832023-12-0111111310.1186/s40359-023-01453-3Cancer patients’ needs for volunteer services during Covid-19: a mixed-method exploratory studySara Alfieri0Laura Gangeri1Simonetta Sborea2Claudia Borreani3Clinical Psychology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei TumoriClinical Psychology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei TumoriLega Italiana per la Lotta contro i Tumori (LILT)Clinical Psychology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei TumoriAbstract Introduction To date, there are no known studies that have investigated the new need for volunteer services among cancer patients during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, it is essential for volunteer associations to heighten such knowledge to best guide their offer in this challenging period. Aim The present study aims to provide a mapping of the cancer patients’ needs for volunteer services followed at Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori in Milan (Italy) during the Covid-19 pandemic. Since there are no specific questionnaires for this purpose, we created an ad hoc tool for which we report the preliminary result. Method We used a mixed-method multiphase approach. Phase I: in April-May 2020 40 ad hoc paper questionnaires were distributed at the entrance of the aforementioned hospital, with the aim of investigating patients’ needs through two open-ended questions then analyzed through thematic analysis. Phase II: the contents that emerged from Phase I were transformed into items and submitted to the judgment of a small group of “peers” (patients) and “experts” (professionals) in November-December 2020 to evaluate their comprehensiveness, representativeness and intrusiveness. Phase III: in January-February 2021 paper questionnaires, containing the items reviewed in Phase II, were distributed within the hospital to a representative sample of cancer patients. We applied descriptive statistics, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Cronbach’s Alpha. Results 32 patients completed Phase I, 3 “peers” and 9 “experts” participated in Phase II, 214 patients completed the questionnaire in Phase III. EFA highlights five kinds of needs during the Covid-19 pandemic, in order of priority: (1) need to be supported at the hospital; (2) need for emotional support; (3) need for daily errands; (4) need for practical support to family members; (5) need to share free time. Preliminary results on the tool are encouraging, although further studies are needed. These results will allow local volunteer associations to adapt their services during the pandemic.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-023-01453-3Covid-19 pandemicMixed methodsPatients’ needsOncologyVolunteer services |
| spellingShingle | Sara Alfieri Laura Gangeri Simonetta Sborea Claudia Borreani Cancer patients’ needs for volunteer services during Covid-19: a mixed-method exploratory study BMC Psychology Covid-19 pandemic Mixed methods Patients’ needs Oncology Volunteer services |
| title | Cancer patients’ needs for volunteer services during Covid-19: a mixed-method exploratory study |
| title_full | Cancer patients’ needs for volunteer services during Covid-19: a mixed-method exploratory study |
| title_fullStr | Cancer patients’ needs for volunteer services during Covid-19: a mixed-method exploratory study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cancer patients’ needs for volunteer services during Covid-19: a mixed-method exploratory study |
| title_short | Cancer patients’ needs for volunteer services during Covid-19: a mixed-method exploratory study |
| title_sort | cancer patients needs for volunteer services during covid 19 a mixed method exploratory study |
| topic | Covid-19 pandemic Mixed methods Patients’ needs Oncology Volunteer services |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-023-01453-3 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT saraalfieri cancerpatientsneedsforvolunteerservicesduringcovid19amixedmethodexploratorystudy AT lauragangeri cancerpatientsneedsforvolunteerservicesduringcovid19amixedmethodexploratorystudy AT simonettasborea cancerpatientsneedsforvolunteerservicesduringcovid19amixedmethodexploratorystudy AT claudiaborreani cancerpatientsneedsforvolunteerservicesduringcovid19amixedmethodexploratorystudy |