COVID-19 pandemic impact on the oncology care using a virtual survey in Peru.

Authors

null

Guillermo Valencia

Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplásicas, Lima, Peru

Guillermo Valencia , Daniel Enriquez , Patricia Rioja , Lizbeth Lachira , Monica Calderon , Jeannie Navarro-Vasquez , Silvia P. Neciosup , Tatiana Vidaurre

Organizations

Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplásicas, Lima, Peru, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Lima, Peru, Inst Nac de Enfermedades Neoplas, Perú, Lima, Peru

Research Funding

No funding received
None.

Background: Advocacy programs in oncology has shown to improve outcomes through education, patient empowerment and civil society awareness, enabling better actions and efforts for patient care, especially in COVID-19 era. We present the results of a virtual survey conducted with the support of a Peruvian advocacy program for cancer patients in COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: In October 2020, a Peruvian Advocacy Program at Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplasicas (INEN) (“Club de la Mama”) formed by advocates and supported by a team of health professionals developed a virtual survey between October 2020 and July 2021 with the purpose of evaluating the impact of interruption of diagnosis or oncological treatment, detect a degree of anxiety/depression due to quarantine and provide information on the response of the oncological institution to the pandemic; from the patient’s perspective. This virtual survey includes: alternative treatment options, degree of anxiety/depression, early access to medical prescription, mode of appointment and quality of care. Patients answered the survey anonymously via web promoted on social networks (Facebook/ WhatsApp) and person-to-person diffusion. Results: A total of 244 patients were included, 78.7% females. Most of patients (86.5%) were from Lima and 86.9% had public insurance. 16.8% of patients had COVID-19 in the period of time evaluated. According to education level, 50.8% were superior, 37.7% high school, 10.7% elementary school and 0.8% illiterate. The most common cancer type was breast (36.1%), followed by hematologic (27.9%) and cervical (7.0%). The most common modality of care was in-person (73%), followed by telemedicine (15%) and only 2% not received medical consult. Regarding the degree of depression: 39% were mild, 14% moderate, 12% moderate-severe, 5% severe and 30% none. The most common degree of anxiety was 42% mild, 16% moderate, 12% severe, and 30% no degree. The most frequent reasons for not attending to hospital were unavailability of appointments (31%), followed by fear to COVID-19 (26%), geographic (10%) and difficulty in transportation (9.0%). The appointment cancellation/postponement time [reported in days] was: 18.0% not canceled, 16% [ < 15], 14% [15-30], 19% [30-60], 10% [60-90], 23% [ > 90]. Of the patients with surgical indication, 72% did not undergo surgery. Regarding prescription, 83% of patients received oncologic treatment, 10% did not received, and the remaining 7% answered that they did not need medication. Quality of care: 18% were considered excellent, 67% good, 10% fair, and 5% poor. Conclusions: Although the survey showed higher degrees of anxiety/depression in patients and longer cancellation/postponement/medication changes during COVID-19 pandemic, there was a significant adherence of medicine prescription, with no negative impact on the perception of quality of oncology care.

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2023 ASCO Annual Meeting

Session Type

Publication Only

Session Title

Publication Only: Health Services Research and Quality Improvement

Track

Quality Care/Health Services Research

Sub Track

Quality Improvement

Citation

J Clin Oncol 41, 2023 (suppl 16; abstr e18738)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2023.41.16_suppl.e18738

Abstract #

e18738

Abstract Disclosures

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