Shifting Support in Surgical Oncology: A Retrospective Cohort Study of Companion Presence During Breast Reconstruction Consultations Before and During COVID-19.
Support persons are essential in cancer care, particularly during surgical consultations that involve complex decision-making and emotional stress. However, the COVID-19 pandemic introduced visitor restrictions that limited in-person companion access, raising concerns about patient-centered care. This study examined patterns of companion presence during breast reconstruction consultations in 2020 and compared findings to a pre-COVID cohort to assess shifting predictors of support-seeking behavior.
A retrospective review was conducted of all breast reconstruction consultations (N = 59) at a regional plastic surgery center during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Demographics, cancer status, travel distance, and companion presence were extracted from electronic medical records. Companion types and behaviors were qualitatively assessed from provider notes. Results were compared to a previously published pre-COVID cohort (N = 421). Statistical analyses included chi-squared tests and independent samples t-tests (α = 0.05).
Despite pandemic restrictions, 51% of patients brought a companion. Companion presence was significantly associated with having an active cancer diagnosis (71.9% vs. 25.9%, p = .004), while marital status and travel distance were not significant predictors. In contrast, pre-COVID data showed marital status and travel burden as significant predictors of accompaniment. Provider notes revealed companions frequently offered emotional support, clarified medical details, and assisted in decision-making.
Support persons remained integral to breast cancer care during COVID-19, particularly for patients facing active disease. These findings underscore the importance of flexible institutional policies that preserve the patient-companion relationship during emotionally charged consultations.
A retrospective review was conducted of all breast reconstruction consultations (N = 59) at a regional plastic surgery center during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Demographics, cancer status, travel distance, and companion presence were extracted from electronic medical records. Companion types and behaviors were qualitatively assessed from provider notes. Results were compared to a previously published pre-COVID cohort (N = 421). Statistical analyses included chi-squared tests and independent samples t-tests (α = 0.05).
Despite pandemic restrictions, 51% of patients brought a companion. Companion presence was significantly associated with having an active cancer diagnosis (71.9% vs. 25.9%, p = .004), while marital status and travel distance were not significant predictors. In contrast, pre-COVID data showed marital status and travel burden as significant predictors of accompaniment. Provider notes revealed companions frequently offered emotional support, clarified medical details, and assisted in decision-making.
Support persons remained integral to breast cancer care during COVID-19, particularly for patients facing active disease. These findings underscore the importance of flexible institutional policies that preserve the patient-companion relationship during emotionally charged consultations.