Volunteering and complementary services in oncology during the covid-19 emergency

ABSTRACT

Background: Volunteering in oncology has been a wellknown and consolidated reality for decades. Alongside this fundamental component, complementary services that deal with providing image consultancy, wigs and onco-aesthetic services to women who undergo oncological surgery and chemotherapy treatments, have been integrated for years Material (patients) and methods: In the context of the emergency we are going through, within the containment measures of the covid-19 pandemic, volunteering and complementary services have been suspended. Volunteers are people who for sensitivity devote their time to those who are experiencing a situation of suffering. They follow a specific training path and their activity is supervised by the psychoncologist. Despite their absence, enhancement of the group and their role, they have been supported through periodic supervisions conducted by the psycho-oncologist online and through the creation of a chat that represents a physical and psychological space for the group. Technology has made it possible to keep the group united by making each member perceive a sense of continuous belonging overcoming physical distances. The members of the group remained in constant contact with each other and with the operators of the department. The supervision activity also continued with the onco-aesthetics operators who remained in contact with Medical staff and offered their availability through telephone consultations on body image care. Body image is related to a positive self-image in female patients who undergo surgery or body changes for chemotherapy treatments. Results: Despite the social distancing measures and the removal of the volunteers from the department the group and its internal dynamics have been preserved. The use of technology in this context ensured the cohesion of the group, the members actively participated in overcoming the limits of physical distance. Conclusions: Nobody knows how this emergency will evolve and when it will be possible to return to normal. During the upcoming months the group of volunteers can keep their motivation and their investment in oncology services alive and it will be important to keep on working on their involvement and internal cohesion. Patients who are going through a difficult time and who need moments of 'normalcy' along their oncological care pathways know how precious the presence of volunteers is.