Queen's heading up global survey on impact of Covid on cancer patients and their care-givers
Researchers urging NI families to take part online to ensure best support is provided during pandemic
Researchers are trying to assess the impact of Covid-19 on cancer patients and their carers across Northern Ireland.
The Queen's University boffins are heading up what is a global online survey.
And they are hoping the responses will help healthcare professionals provide the best support at this time'
Professor Dr Lesley Anderson, from the NI Cancer Registry, who is one of the researchers behind the survey, explains:
"Caregivers and patients are describing a major impact of COVID-19 on their lives," she said.
"Health services have had to change in order to ensure the safety of patients.
"This survey will assess the impact that these and other changes due to the coronavirus pandemic have had on caregivers and patients."
Lesley said the information they gleaned would be important for future care.
"Working with healthcare providers, patients and researchers we hope to identify the immediate, medium and long-term impact of the coronavirus pandemic on caregivers and patients with cancer, pre-cancerous conditions and rare diseases," she said.
"The information obtained will be shared with doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers and charitable organisations to identify the best ways to support patients during this time.
"We hope that by capturing the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on caregivers and patient groups that we will be able to identify ways to help. Learning from the current situation will also help us to be better informed should similar circumstances occur in the future."
The survey is now live via the link
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/IMPACCTsurvey
You can also access the link from Queen's Facebook page (IMPACCT study) or Twitter account @ImpacctStudy
Lesley added: "Anyone can complete the survey but we are particularly interested to hear from caregivers and patients with cancer, those with a condition that increases their risk of cancer such as MGUS, CIN or Barrett’s oesophagus and those with rare diseases.
"This is a global study so please share details of it with family members and friends around the world."