COVID-19 and Oncology: Service transformation during pandemic

Leung, Marco Shiu Tsun, Lin, Shangzhe George, Chow, Jason and Harky, Amer ORCID: 0000-0001-5507-5841 (2020) COVID-19 and Oncology: Service transformation during pandemic. CANCER MEDICINE, 9 (19). pp. 7161-7171.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cam4.3384

Abstract

<h4>Background</h4>The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged healthcare systems around the world, where resources have refocused on increasing critical bed capacity to prepare for the peak in incidence of COVID-19. Oncology faces an unprecedented challenge as patients require multidisciplinary care and are more likely to be immunosuppressed. Services in oncology have been transformed using minimal resources over a short period of time. This transformation continues and telemedicine is playing a key role.<h4>Aims</h4>We explore how services in oncology have transformed to deliver services including consultations, systemic anticancer therapy, and surgery for patients, while shielding them from contracting COVID-19. We assess the risks and benefits of the service transformation in the immediate, interim, and long term, and how telemedicine supports the process.<h4>Methods</h4>We performed a comprehensive review of the literature using suitable keywords on the search engines of PubMed, SCOPUS, Google Scholar, and latest official data from May to June 2020.<h4>Results</h4>Through the published literature on this topic, we discuss the transformations in oncology and the impact on patients and healthcare workers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We reflect on the lessions from COVID-19 and assess the role of telemedicine in the future of oncology services.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Transformation of services in oncology effectively shields patients from COVID-19 infections, and telemedicine plays a role in virtual consultations. The long-term effects are yet to be seen, such as safety of home-based treatment, and effectiveness of virtual communication on patient care. As oncology requires a multidisciplinary approach, telemedicine will play a key role to improve patient-centered cancer care in the future.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	chemotherapy, COVID-19, oncology service, SARS-CoV-2, systemic anticancer therapy, telemedicine
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	25 Sep 2020 08:01
Last Modified:	18 Jan 2023 23:31
DOI:	10.1002/cam4.3384
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.3384
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3102496