IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON THE AVAILABILITY OF MEDICAL CARE AMONG ONCOLOGICAL PATIENTS

Abstract

The aim: Cancer is the second most common cause of death in Polish society. The healthcare system, already overwhelmed in many countries, has been further burdened by the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The healthcare system has become inefficient, especially in the oncology care sector. Surgeries, scheduled treatments, and follow-up appointments in some hospitals have been canceled or rescheduled to the “next available date after the end of the pandemic”. This research aims to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the availability of medical care among oncological patients and compare them with the results of studies on the effects of postponement of oncology treatment. Materials and methods: The study included a group of 544 respondents from all over Poland. The research tool was a self-administered survey questionnaire. Results: 37%, of those undergoing systemic treatment, experienced postponement of their treatment, and in the case of radiotherapy, it was 35%. Visits to the clinical oncologist/radiotherapist specialist were postponed in 51% of respondents. Imaging studies were delayed in 41.7% of respondents. Conclusions: The course of the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the health care system and, therefore, also on the availability of medical care among oncologicalpatients. The results signal an emerging problem. These visit shifts may negatively affect the outcome of cancer treatment. The potential risk of COVID-19 infection should beindividually balanced against cancer treatment delay in each patient. The ongoing pandemic, therefore, prompts a careful analysis of the effects of deferring cancer therapy.