ABSTRACT
Introduction/Background*The current COVID 19 pandemic is having a major impact on healthcare systems around the world. Modifications in health resources have been necessary to face this new situation, which have had a direct impact on clinical practice, also affecting the field of gynecology oncology. To date, the evidence of the changes that COVID-19 has implied in the management of patients with gynecological cancer is scarce.The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the management of patients with gynecological cancer by a nationwide survey to oncogynecologists.MethodologyObservational study that collects data from a national survey sent via email to Spanish oncogynecological surgeons on June 2021. The survey included a total of 35 questions which were divided into 6 sections including assessment of the personal characteristics of responders, questions related to the triage procedures and protective measures adopted in the hospital against COVID-19 and questions related to changes in the management of ovarian, endometrial and cervical cancer after COVID-19 outbreak.Result(s)*Overall, 75 participants completed the questionnaire. The results showed that 85% of gynecologic surgeons were not concerned about COVID-19 outbreak and 79.7% of the participants stated that COVID-19 has not significantly modified their everyday practice. All surgeons declared triage method adopted in order to minimise COVID 19 diffusion. 87.5% did not modify surgical approach, although 6.9% decreased laparoscopic use in favor of laparotomic surgery. Only 45.1% of the surgeons adopted specific protection against COVID-19 in robotic or laparoscopic surgery, however 55.6% of the participants adopted it in open surgery. The use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy increased in 31.9% in favor of primary cytoreduction in ovarian cancer. 11.3% and 15.5% of patient with cervical and endometrial cancer respectively suffered a delay in cancer treatment during the pandemic.Conclusion*The conclusions of the study showed how the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the surgical management of patients with gynecological cancer in different Spanish hospitals.
ABSTRACT
Introduction/Background*COVID -19 pandemic has shown a huge impact in health-care systems. In the field of gynecology oncology, we had to postpone routinary tests and check-ups, as well as attend patients that had undergone an oncological process via telephone. Due to their vulnerability, the psychological impact on this patient has been even worse than on other users of the health system. The aim in this study is to evaluate the concerns, global health status and quality of life of patients with gynecological cancer during the pandemic.MethodologyThe GineonCoVID study is a multicenter Spanish study that collect data from a national survey. The anonymous survey consists of 23 questions regarding the personal experience of the patient and modifications in health care during follow up of patient with gynecological malignancies from April to May 2021. The survey has been divided into 3 sections. In this sub-analysis the results of the questions related to anxiety, concerns, quality of life and state of mind of the interviewed patients will be evaluated.Result(s)*376 patients responded to the survey. The median age was 58 years. 43% of the patients were diagnosed with endometrial cancer, 27.3% with ovarian cancer and 24.1% with cervical cancer. 39.6% and 33.6% of patients suffered anxiety and depression respectively during the pandemic. 81% of the patients report having a good quality of life during the last year. Results showed that 54.2% of the respondents are not concerns about viral infection and 67.9% consider that the risk of being infected during follow-up is low. 94% do not perceive changes in follow up, but if they do, 44% believe that clinical health care has experienced a change. 71.4% of the patients are concern about not being able to attend clinical visits.Conclusion*The pandemic could increase anxiety and depression, although it does not appear to worsen the quality of life in patients with gynecological cancer. More than half of the patients consider that they have a low risk of being infected during follow-up but are concerned about not being able to attend clinical visits due to the pandemic.
ABSTRACT
Introduction/Background*The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Spanish hospitals over the past year has forced healthcare institutions to make drastic changes in the management of oncology patients. The main objective of this study is to describe the changes in ambulatory attendance of patients with gynecological cancer and the ease of contact with the gynaecological oncology section reported by users.MethodologyThe GineonCoVID study is a multicenter Spanish study that collect data from a national survey. The anonymous survey consists of 23 questions regarding the personal experience of the patient and modifications in health care during follow up of patient with gynecological malignancies from April to May 2021. The survey has been divided into 3 sections. In this sub-analysis, questions regarding follow-up modifications and the perspective of the patients with gynecological cancer about changes were analyzed.Result(s)*376 patients responded to the survey. The median age was 58 years. 43% of the patients were diagnosed with endometrial cancer, 27.3% with ovarian cancer and 24.1% with cervical cancer. 85% of the patients had an appointment that was delayed by the pandemic. 67.7% considered that the situation justified the delay of the appointment. 93.3% who contacted the gynecological oncology unit were able to solve the problem by telephone. Upon entering the consultation, 41.3% were questioned about COVID symptoms or contacts. 97.6% considered that adequate measures were taken to avoid contagion during the medical visit. Regarding how they would value the care received (scale of 1–10), 2.2% scored it with a 7;6.7% with 8;23.2% with 9 and 67.7% with 10.Conclusion*The COVID-19 pandemic and the redistribution of health system resources have forced the development of variations in the assistance and follow-up patients with gynecological cancer in order to decrease the number of hospital visits and minimize the risk of infection. Telephone consultations and delay in routinary tests were very useful tools during this period without compromising the quality of care.