Abstract 1344P
Background
In March 2020, WHO declared the outbreak of a novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19 as a pandemic. This situation creates many challenges for providing medical care for other non-COVID patients including cancer patients. To better understand the impact of this pandemic on cancer care, an online survey was distributed to cancer patients and survivors in Egypt.
Methods
This is a cross-sectional study in which an online survey was completed by 300 cancer patients and survivors through social media between 1st of June and 31st of December 2020. The survey consisted of 28 questions covering patients’ demographics, disease characteristics, type of service provider, COVID- 19 pandemic implications and concerns, and the patients' source of information.
Results
29.7% of participants reported changes in their cancer care plan. The care adjustments were less likely to occur when patients were in the treatment stage (OR: 0.51, 95%CI: 0.30–0.85, P=0.010) not in follow up stage. 57.3% and 37.7% agreed and strongly agreed on the negative impact of the pandemic on the quality of care, and on the treatment outcomes, respectively. 72.3% agreed and strongly agreed about the greater importance of treatment visits than social distancing. Only 34.3% agreed and strongly agreed about feeling safer with remote consultation than with hospital visits. Despite this, 86.0% agreed and strongly agreed that they are more susceptible to COVID-19 complications and unfavorable outcomes if infected. Adequate access to COVID19 information was reported by 69.0%. The frequently reported sources were the ministry of health webpage 42.0%, the ordinary mass media 40.7% more than the WHO sources 21.3%.
Conclusions
Patients believe that this pandemic has negative impact on the quality of their care and treatment outcomes. However, the COVID19 infection and its consequences are less appreciated than their concern about their cancer treatment. So it is crucial to provide continuity of care to cancer patients in addition to ensuring psychological support that makes them feel secure by maintaining adequate communication with accurate information and effective clinical management during the pandemic.Telemedicine application in this region needs further studies.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
A.M. Abdou.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.