Background
The impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on European gynaecological cancer patients under active treatment or follow‐up has not been documented. We sought to capture the patient perceptions of the COVID‐19 implications and the worldwide imposed treatment modifications.
Methods
A patient survey was conducted in 16 European countries, using a new COVID‐19‐related questionnaire, developed by ENGAGe and the Hospital Anxiety & Depression Scale questionnaire (HADS). The survey was promoted by national patient advocacy groups and charitable organisations.
Findings
We collected 1388 forms; 592 online and 796 hard‐copy (May, 2020). We excluded 137 due to missing data. Median patients’ age was 55 years (range: 18–89), 54.7% had ovarian cancer and 15.5% were preoperative. Even though 73.2% of patients named cancer as a risk factor for COVID‐19, only 17.5% were more afraid of COVID‐19 than their cancer condition, with advanced age (>70 years) as the only significant risk factor for that. Overall, 71% were concerned about cancer progression if their treatment/follow‐up was cancelled/postponed. Most patients (64%) had their care continued as planned, but 72.3% (
n
= 892) said that they received no information around overall COVID‐19 infection rates of patients and staff, testing or measures taken in their treating hospital. Mean HADS
A
nxiety and
D
epression Scores were 8.8 (range: 5.3–12) and 8.1 (range: 3.8–13.4), respectively. Multivariate analysis identified high HADS‐depression scores, having experienced modifications of care due to the pandemic and concern about not being able to visit their doctor as independent predictors of patients’ anxiety.
Interpretation
Gynaecological cancer patients expressed significant anxiety about progression of their disease due to modifications of care related to the COVID‐19 pandemic and wished to pursue their treatment as planned despite the associated risks. Healthcare professionals should take this into consideration when making decisions that impact patients care in times of crisis and to develop initiatives to improve patients’ communication and education.
Purpose In December 2019, the emerging of a novel coronavirus has influenced the whole world. The current pandemic also triggers several psychological changes. Uncertainties and changes in health practices may cause anxiety, depression, and concerns on vulnerable populations such as pregnant. This study aims to survey the pregnant women to capture the psychological impact and perceptions during the pandemic. Methods A total of 297 pregnant women aged ≥ 18 years were enrolled in May 2020. We evaluated the hard-copy survey included questions about demographic and clinical information of patients, 95% confidence intervals of a COVID-19-related questionnaire in a Likert scale and 14-item Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Results A total of 297 pregnant women were included in this study with a mean age of 27.64. Most patients (82.5%) had concerns about infecting their babies during delivery. The fear of infection of the fetus during delivery revealed elderly age and having anxiety as the unique significant risk factors. Mean HADS-A and HADS-D scores were 7.94 (± 4.03) and 7.23 (± 3.84), respectively. Multivariate analysis showed having anxiety was associated with a high HADS-D score and concern about the inability to reach obstetrician, and being in advanced age, having a high HADS-A score, and concern about the inability to reach obstetrician demonstrated significant effects on HADS-D score. Conclusion We conclude that in future pandemics, communications and reassurance of the patients should be prioritized upon their routine ante-natal care to avoid increased levels of anxiety and even depression.
Ruh sağlığı alanında ergoterapi müdahalelerini de içeren psikososyal yaklaşımlar tedavinin önemli bir parçasını oluşturmaktadır. Bu çalışma, şizofreni tanısı almış bireylerde bireysel olarak tasarlanan yaşam becerileri eğitiminin işlevsellik üzerine etkisini incelemek amacıyla planlandı. Yöntem: Araştırmaya rastgele atama sonucu 17'si kontrol, 15'i müdahale grubunu oluşturan toplam 32 şizofreni tanısı almış birey dahil edildi. Bireylerin hastalık belirtileri Pozitif ve Negatif Sendrom Ölçeği, hastalık şiddeti Klinik Global İzlenim Ölçeği, temel günlük yaşam aktiviteleri Katz Günlük Yaşam Aktiviteleri Ölçeği, yardımcı günlük yaşam aktiviteleri Lawton ve Brody'nin Yardımcı Günlük Yaşam Aktiviteleri Ölçeği, işlevsellik düzeyi Kısa İşlevsellik Değerlendirme Ölçeği ve Sosyal işlevsellik Ölçeği kullanılarak müdahale öncesi ve sonrasında iki grupta değerlendirildi. Kontrol grubuna günlük yaşam aktivitelerinde bağımsızlığı artırmaya yönelik tek oturumluk farkındalık eğitimi, çalışma grubuna ise 8 hafta, haftada iki kez (16 oturum) yaşam becerileri eğitimi verildi. Bulgular: Araştırmanın sonucunda, çalışma grubunda, kontrol grubu ile karşılaştırıldığında, bireylerin negatif belirtileri, genel psikopatoloji, hastalık şiddeti, temel ve yardımcı günlük yaşam aktivitelerindeki bağımsızlık ve işlevsellik düzeylerinde iyileşme görüldü. Sonuç: Bu bulgular doğrultusunda, şizofreni tanısı almış bireylerde birey merkezli olarak planlanan yaşam becerileri eğitiminin rehabilitasyon alanında etkin bir tedavi yöntemi olarak kullanılabileceği düşünülmektedir. Araştırmanın sonuçlarının uzun süreli takip çalışmalarıyla desteklenmesi önerilmektedir.
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