The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on palliative care practice: A survey of clinical oncologists

Yu Wang; Yilin Huang; Xiangyu Ma; Dilinaer Wusiman; Xinqing Zhang; Nan Bi

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.1020937

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on palliative care practice: A survey of clinical oncologists

Front Public Health. 2022 Nov 21:10:1020937. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1020937. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Yu Wang¹, Yilin Huang², Xiangyu Ma¹, Dilinaer Wusiman³, Xinqing Zhang⁴, Nan Bi¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China.
² State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Division of Prevention and Community Health, National Center for Cardiovascular Disease, National Clinical Research Center of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
³ Department of Head and Neck Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
⁴ School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.

Abstract

Background: Palliative care is an essential intervention to improve the quality of life for patients with cancer, whereas the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic poses a challenge to supportive and palliative care providers. This survey aims to explore the current status of palliative care practice for cancer and the influence of COVID-19, from the perspective of oncologists.

Methods: The semi-structure electronic questionnaire was designed. Mixed-mode surveys including electronic questionnaires, face-to-face interactions, and telephone interviews were adopted according to the willingness of respondents. Face-to-face and telephone interviews were based on same questions in the online questionnaire. Participants working in cancer-related departments with frontline palliative care experience during the COVID-19 outbreak were included. Surveys covered experiences and perspectives regarding the impact of COVID-19 on clinical work, personal lives, and palliative care practice. Suggestions on coping strategies were further proposed and qualitatively analyzed.

Results: Thirty-seven oncologists participated in this study from September 2021 to January 2022. The majority of them believed COVID-19 significantly and negatively affected their clinical work routines (75.7%), personal daily lives (67.6%), and palliative care practice (64.9%). Most specialists considered that currently the palliative care system remained underdeveloped (73.0%), and other factors besides COVID-19 were associated with this situation (78.4%). Seventeen participants further made suggestions on how to promote palliative care during COVID-19, and three themes emerged through the qualitative analysis: (1) Remote or online service (88.2%); (2) Publicity, education, or shared decision-making for patients (29.4%); (3) Guidelines, training, or programs for care providers (23.6%).

Conclusion: Oncologists consider that COVID-19 has an adverse impact on their palliative care practice and daily routine. In addition to COVID-19, other factors affecting palliative care should not be neglected. Corresponding measures are warranted to encourage palliative care practice during COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19; oncologist; palliative care; pandemic; survey.

MeSH terms

COVID-19* / epidemiology
Humans
Neoplasms* / therapy
Palliative Care
Pandemics
Quality of Life