Satisfaction level of family caregivers of children with cancer towards home care during the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Egypt: A cross-sectional study

The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic placed unprecedented pressure on global healthcare systems, prompting the need for innovative strategies to ensure continuity of care. At the Children's Cancer Hospital in Egypt, a home monitoring program was implemented to sustain pediatric oncology care while reducing hospital burden during pandemic surges. The initiative aimed to assess the satisfaction level of family caregivers of children with cancer towards home care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt. In a cross-sectional study, a patient satisfaction survey was administered to a purposive sample of 179 family caregivers (parents) of pediatric oncology patients enrolled in the home monitoring program. One hundred seventy-nine family caregivers of patients with cancer participated in the present study. 53% of the assigned family caregivers were mothers. The Caregivers’ education was secondary technical in 45% of the whole population. The majority of parents were delighted with the nursing care provided to children at home. Satisfaction levels with home care remained very favorable throughout both periods of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first and second waves of COVID-19, 94.5% of participants reported “excellent” satisfaction and 5.5% reported “reasonable” satisfaction, while in the third and fourth waves of COVID-19, these values were 91.3% and 8.7%, respectively (P=0.541). Overall, the majority of participants reported high satisfaction levels with the home-based nursing care provided. Home-based monitoring proved to be a highly effective and well-received approach to managing pediatric oncology patients during the COVID-19 crisis. It alleviated pressure on hospital resources while preserving quality care and family engagement. This model shows promise for broader application in similar healthcare contexts and during future public health emergencies.