Impact of COVID-19 on Delivery of Cancer Care: Real-World Insights from Community Oncology Research Evaluations (CORE)

ABSTRACT

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted healthcare delivery for patients with cancer. This research assessed the impact of COVID-19 on the delivery of cancer care in the US during the pandemic and evaluated emerging treatment trends in the post-COVID-19 setting. Method(s) A series of Community Oncology Research Evaluations (CORE) meetings were conducted across the US between December 2021 and May 2022. During these meetings, community oncologists undertook a survey focused on the impact of COVID-19 in the community-practice setting. Result(s) 242 community oncologists participated in the survey. Over 80% of the physicians estimated that up to 20% of patients with cancer have gone undiagnosed due to their reluctance to visit a healthcare provider during the pandemic. More than half (51%) of community oncologists reported a decrease of up to 50% in in-office patient visits versus before COVID-19, with most physicians (71%) indicating that some delivery of care changed to a virtual setting in up to 20% of patients. Most physicians (86%) reported no change in their willingness to assess new therapies. Most common strategies to manage cancer during the pandemic included the use of telemedicine for stable patients receiving oral chemotherapy (55%), use of extended dosing schedules (39%), and switching route of chemotherapy administration from intravenous to oral or subcutaneous (38%). Once COVID-19 is under control, these strategies are expected to remain in place. Nearly half of the community oncologists (48%) plan to continue using telemedicine for managing disease in stable patients receiving oral chemotherapy, over a quarter intend to continue using extended dosing schedules, and 19% plan to use oral or subcutaneous chemotherapy when appropriate. Conclusion(s) COVID-19 had a detrimental impact on cancer diagnosis and delivery of therapy. Community oncologists reported a seemingly permanent shift in care patterns including telemedicine, extended dosing schedules, and switching chemotherapy administration route.Copyright © 2023