The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on suspected head and neck cancer two-week-wait referrals.
J Laryngol Otol
; 136(3): 248-251, 2022 Mar.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1279750
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 extends far beyond the immediate burden on healthcare systems caused by hospitalisation of patients with the disease itself.OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on the referral rate of patients to the suspected head and neck cancer two-week-wait clinic.METHODS:
A multicentre retrospective study was performed investigating data collected for all patients attending the suspected head and neck cancer two-week-wait clinic in ENT departments in the West Midlands.RESULTS:
A total of 509 fast-track referrals were received from February to April in 2019, compared to 399 referrals in 2020. April 2020 saw a 62.4 per cent reduction in referral rate compared to April 2019.CONCLUSION:
The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has resulted in changes to health-seeking behaviours, and healthcare provision and delivery. Urgent policy interventions may be required to compensate for the hidden impact that the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has had on those with cancer.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Referral and Consultation
/
Waiting Lists
/
COVID-19
/
Head and Neck Neoplasms
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
/
Experimental Studies
/
Observational study
Topics:
Long Covid
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
English
Journal:
J Laryngol Otol
Journal subject:
Otolaryngology
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
S0022215121001717
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