Abstract 1755P
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic have had a strong logistical and psychological impact on the population. A specific attention has been devoted to the organization of activity of Oncology units and to oncological patients’ mental health conditions. In fact, oncological pts are now experiencing apprehension not only for their cancer but also for the pandemic. The aim of this research is to evaluate how the COVID-19 emergency has affected access to treatments, management of disease and the psychological impact on pts in 2 Oncology Units in Brindisi (Apulia) and Turin (Piedmont).
Methods
In a 2 week period between April and May 2020, a structured questionnaire was administered to pts in active treatment at the Day hospital (DH)/ Day Service (DS) of Oncology Dpts at Brindisi and Mauriziano Hospital. The questionnaire was anonymous, self-administered, with 5 closed-ended questions with a “yes/no” answers and 10 questions involving a modified Likert scale of 4 answers. Percentage data are analyzed for the whole series and the 2 centers separately.
Results
404 questionnaires were collected (Brindisi 202, Turin 202). The main difference involves the number of pts with relatives tested positive to SARS-CoV2 (Apulia 2% vs. Piedmont 11.4%, p=0.002). Overall, 343 pts (84,9%) referred no relevant changes in the treatment of their illness. They indicated no relevant alterations in the access to medical care (n= 362, 90%), in outpatient visits (n= 341, 84.8%), in running diagnostic exams (n= 340, 84.6%) and in drug supply (n= 365, 90.8%). 291 pts (72,4%) did not perceive a significant risk of contagion in accessing their DH/DS. Overall, pts did not believe they have received a significant reduction in assistance (n=372, 92.1%). The communication with the medical staff has been judged effective and clear (n= 374, 93%) and pts claimed it had been easy to reach the staff via phone or e-mail (n=364, 90.1%). There were no relevant differences between the 2 centers.
Conclusions
Despite the changes in the clinical management of cancer pts due to the COVID-19 emergency, our data show that most pts did not perceive any relevant difference in the management, both from an operational and relational point of view.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
Saverio Cinieri.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.