ABSTRACT
The World Health Organization declared coronavirus infectious disease-2019 (COVID-19) linked to the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2), a global pandemic in March 2020. The pandemic outbreak has led to the most unprecedented and catastrophic loss of human life in the recent history. As of January 2021, there were more than 100 million cases of COVID-19 and more than two million deaths worldwide. Compared to the general population, patients with cancer are at a higher risk of poor outcomes from COVID-19. In large cohort studies, mortality from COVID-19 in patients with cancer can be as high as 40%. In addition to clinical variables (older age, male sex, and co-morbidities) that are associated with mortality in general population, cancer patients are uniquely vulnerable to severe COVID-19 due to immunosuppression from cancer and its therapy, and disruption of routine clinical care. Among patients with cancer, the lung cancer population is at a higher risk of poor outcomes and mortality from COVID-19 for several reasons. For instance, lung is the main target organ in COVID-19 that can lead to respiratory failure, patients with lung cancer have baseline poor lung function from chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder and smoking. In addition, some of the lung cancer treatment side-effects like pneumonitis, may obscure the diagnosis of COVID-19. In this article, we systematically review the most impactful cohort studies published to date in patients with cancer and COVID-19. We describe the rates of mortality in patients with cancer and COVID-19 with a special focus on the lung cancer population. We also summarize the factors associated with poor outcomes and mortality in patients with lung cancer and COVID-19.Copyright © The Author(s) 2021.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The use of telemedicine has dramatically increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. We evaluated characteristics and experiences of underserved women utilizing telemedicine for gynecologic visits at an urban teaching hospital. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of patients using telemedicine for gynecologic care from January 2021-September 2021. Patients completed a demographic survey and a modified Telemedicine Usability Questionnaire (TUQ) using a 1-5 Likert scale. Statistical analyses used Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: One hundred ninety two patients consented to participate, and 157 completed surveys. The majority of patients were non-White (Hispanic 32%, Black 28%, and Asian 10%), with a median age of 40 years (range 18-69 years). A total of 61% had children and some level of education (24% GED or below, 28% vocational/associate degree, and 47% college or above), and 41% were employed, with 63% reporting an income of less than $40,000, and 85% being government insured (Medicaid/Medicare). Without telemedicine visits, 47% would have traveled 1-2 hours to appointments, with 46% spending more than $35 on travel, and 27% missing at least 1 work day for an in-person visit. The most common visit indications were lab/imaging results review (37%), postoperative follow-up (21%), and abnormal uter- ine bleeding (14%). The mean score overall for the entire TUQ was 4.3/5. Participants preferred telemedicine for follow-up visits rather than for initial visits (81% vs. 33%;P<.01). CONCLUSION: Underserved women utilizing telemedicine for gynecologic care reported largely positive experiences with improved access to health care, cost, and time savings over inperson visits. However, a higher preference for utilization was found for follow-up visits, providing an opportunity to further improve quality and access.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The use of telemedicine has dramatically increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. We evaluated the experience of underserved women using telemedicine for gynecologic visits at an urban teaching hospital. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of patient experiences using telemedicine for outpatient gynecologic visits from January 2021-September 2021. Demographic/clinical data were obtained. Participants completed a modified, previously validated Telemedicine Usability Questionnaire (TUQ), with responses on a 1-5 Likert scale. Statistical analyses used the Wilcoxon signed-rank test or t test. RESULTS: One hundred ninety two patients agreed to participate, of which 157 completed the surveys. A total of 87% had video visits, whereas 13% had telephone visits. The majority of patients were ethnic minorities (non-Hispanic White 16%, Hispanic 32%, Black 28%, and Asian 10%), median age 40 years (range 18-69 years), with 63% having income (44 vs.<39, P=.02). Race/ethnicity, income, education level, and prior experience with telemedicine had no effect on responses for this subscale. CONCLUSION: Underserved women utilizing telemedicine for outpatient gynecologic visits report largely positive experiences overall. Although telemedicine holds promise in increasing access to healthcare services, attention needs to be paid to ensure reliability among telehealth visits, particularly for older populations.
ABSTRACT
During the COVID-19 pandemic the health authorities at airports and train stations try to screen and identify the travellers possibly exposed to the virus. However, many individuals avoid getting tested and hence may misreport their travel history. This is a challenge for the health authorities who wish to ascertain the truly susceptible cases in spite of this strategic misreporting. We investigate the problem of questioning travellers to classify them for further testing when the travellers are strategic or are unwilling to reveal their travel histories. We show there are fundamental limits to how many travel histories the health authorities can recover.
ABSTRACT
The World Health Organization declared coronavirus infectious disease-2019 (COVID-19) linked to the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2), a global pandemic in March 2020. The pandemic outbreak has led to the most unprecedented and catastrophic loss of human life in the recent history. As of January 2021, there were more than 100 million cases of COVID-19 and more than two million deaths worldwide. Compared to the general population, patients with cancer are at a higher risk of poor outcomes from COVID-19. In large cohort studies, mortality from COVID-19 in patients with cancer can be as high as 40%. In addition to clinical variables (older age, male sex, and co-morbidities) that are associated with mortality in general population, cancer patients are uniquely vulnerable to severe COVID-19 due to immunosuppression from cancer and its therapy, and disruption of routine clinical care. Among patients with cancer, the lung cancer population is at a higher risk of poor outcomes and mortality from COVID-19 for several reasons. For instance, lung is the main target organ in COVID-19 that can lead to respiratory failure, patients with lung cancer have baseline poor lung function from chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder and smoking. In addition, some of the lung cancer treatment side-effects like pneumonitis, may obscure the diagnosis of COVID-19. In this article, we systematically review the most impactful cohort studies published to date in patients with cancer and COVID-19. We describe the rates of mortality in patients with cancer and COVID-19 with a special focus on the lung cancer population. We also summarize the factors associated with poor outcomes and mortality in patients with lung cancer and COVID-19. © The Author(s) 2021.