Design
cancer
CANCER, GROUP B
In the present survey, we investigated two groups with a quasi experimental design. Group A was not affected (“affected” is related to participation in the PIKKO study) by the lockdown because the patients went through the PIKKO intervention as planned. The end of the PIKKO intervention or the voluntary exit from the PIKKO accompanying survey took place before the lockdown (16 Mar 2020). Group B was affected by the lockdown (in connection with participation in the PIKKO study). Part of the PIKKO intervention and/or survey was conducted during the lockdown, so the end of PIKKO was in or after the lockdown. Group B should still have regular contact (including face-to-face) with the PN, attend (on-site) courses or counseling sessions of the SCS, and complete surveys (which were mailed). All of these may require direct contact, which was limited by the pandemic containment strategies. In addition, as late participants in the PIKKO study, they are still more likely to be in active cancer treatment and are likely to be more frequent guests at medical facilities. Group assignment was not random; rather, but was determined by the timing of inclusion in the PIKKO study (Group A: early inclusion = already enrolled in PIKKO for an average of 358 days at the time of lockdown; Group B: late inclusion = already enrolled in PIKKO for an average of 167 days at the time of lockdown).The supplementary survey took place from 31 July 2020 to 31 Aug 2020.