Final dataset of valid questionnaires.

BackgroundAt the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, psychotherapy practice underwent a drastic reorganization. To enhance knowledge of the challenges healthcare professionals faced during the pandemic, this study explores the experiences and practices of Italian psychotherapists caring for cancer patients during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodThis mixed-method study consists of a qualitative cross-sectional survey followed by open-ended semi-structured interviews with a subsample of survey respondents. The data were then triangulated to depict better the experience of caring for cancer patients from the psychotherapists’ perspective.ResultsThe final dataset included 102 valid responses. Subsequently, one male and 21 females participated in the interview-based study. Qualitative analysis revealed four themes and specific subthemes: 1. patient relationships (the impact of restrictions on family ties, the impact of restrictions within the healthcare environment), 2. clinical practice management (the use of technologies for psychological interventions, timing and continuity of care, changes in the number of requests for psychological interventions), 3. emotional aspects (emotions captured in patients, emotions captured in other professionals, the inner world of the psychotherapists), and 4. organizational recognition (investments in psychological support and service coordination, issues related to employment status).ConclusionOur findings provide knowledge of the pandemic’s impact on psycho-oncology practice, offering further input for research on innovative tools in psychotherapy and staff support programs and the development of psycho-oncology services that can systematically respond to the multifaceted needs of cancer patients, relatives, and healthcare professionals.背景：新冠疫情（COVID-19）暴发初期，心理治疗实践经历了剧烈重组。为深化对疫情期间医护人员所面临挑战的认知，本研究探讨了新冠疫情第一阶段意大利心理治疗师照护癌症患者的经历与实践。 方法：本研究为混合方法研究，先开展质性横断面调查，随后对调查受访者的子样本进行开放式半结构化访谈。随后通过三角验证法，从心理治疗师的视角更清晰地呈现其照护癌症患者的经历。 结果：最终数据集纳入102份有效应答。随后，1名男性与21名女性受访者参与了访谈研究。质性分析共提炼出4个核心主题及具体子主题：1. 患者人际关联（防疫限制对家庭纽带的影响、防疫限制对医疗环境内部的影响）；2. 临床实践管理（心理干预技术的应用、照护的时机与连续性、心理干预咨询量的变化）；3. 情绪层面（患者所流露的情绪、其他医护人员的情绪、心理治疗师的内心世界）；4. 组织认可与保障（心理支持与服务协调的投入、与就业状况相关的问题）。 结论：本研究结果阐明了疫情对心理肿瘤学实践的影响，可为心理治疗创新工具与医护人员支持项目的相关研究，以及能够系统性响应癌症患者、家属及医护人员多元需求的心理肿瘤学服务发展提供参考依据。