Addressing the Mental Health Challenges of Cancer Care Workers in LMICs During the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Datta, Soumitra Shankar; Mukherjee, Arnab; Ghose, Soumita; Bhattacharya, Sanjay; Gyawali, Bishal

doi:10.1200/go.20.00470

Cited by 14 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…We reviewed research that has been conducted on psychosocial risks to healthcare workers during the Covid-19 pandemic, identifying categories of risks, as well as the related prevention measures. Although each health system has its own particularities, the impact of communicable disease outbreaks on HCWs have certain aspects that are independent of the national context [ 125 ]. Therefore, the reviewed evidence is effective in providing a general overview and give directions on preventative measures.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Scoping Review of Psychosocial Risks to Health Workers during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Franklin

Gkiouleka

2021

IJERPH

101

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The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed health workers to a diverse set of hazards impacting their physical, psychological and social wellbeing. This review aims to provide an overview of the categories of the psychosocial risk factors and hazards affecting HCWs during the Covid-19 pandemic and the recommendations for prevention. We used the scoping review methodology to collate categories of psychosocial risks, the related health outcomes, interventions, and data gaps. The review was conducted on global peer-reviewed academic and authoritative grey literature, published between 1. January–26. October 2020; in total, 220 articles were included into the review and the subsequent analysis. Analysis of the extracted data found PSRs related to four sources: personal protective equipment (PPE), job content, work organisation, and social context. is. Women health workers and nurses reported worst health outcomes. Majority of the research to date concerns health workers in secondary care, while data on psychosocial risks at primary and community-based settings are scarce. However, the emerging research implies that the pandemic creates psychosocial risks also to non-clinical health workers. The intervention and mitigation measures address individual and organisational levels. Preventative and mitigating measures for social and societal risks—such as staff shortages, intersecting inequalities, and financial stressors require further research.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Scoping Review of Psychosocial Risks to Health Workers during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Franklin

Gkiouleka

2021

IJERPH

101

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“…Patients, caregivers, and health care workers have experienced extreme psychologic distress. 23 , 24 COVID-19 has challenged the medical community to implement a much needed, urgent, and immediate response, while dealing with overcrowded hospitals often with not enough supplies to offer the best care to affected patients. 25 , 26 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Oncology Clinical Research in Latin America (LACOG 0420)

Gongora

Werutsky²,

Jardim

et al. 2021

JCO Global Oncology

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PURPOSE COVID-19 has affected cancer care worldwide. Clinical trials are an important alternative for the treatment of oncologic patients, especially in Latin America, where trials can be the only opportunity for some of them to access novel and, sometimes, standard treatments. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study, in which a 22-question survey regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on oncology clinical trials was sent to 350 representatives of research programs in selected Latin American institutions, members of the Latin American Cooperative Oncology Group. RESULTS There were 90 research centers participating in the survey, with 70 of them from Brazil. The majority were partly private or fully private (n = 77; 85.6%) and had confirmed COVID-19 cases at the institution (n = 57; 63.3%). Accruals were suspended at least for some studies in 80% (n = 72) of the responses, mostly because of sponsors' decision. Clinical trials' routine was affected by medical visits cancelation, reduction of patients' attendance, reduction of other specialties' availability, and/or alterations on follow-up processes. Formal COVID-19 mitigation policies were adopted in 96.7% of the centers, including remote monitoring and remote site initiation visits, telemedicine visits, reduction of research team workdays or home office, special consent procedures, shipment of oral drugs directly to patients' home, and increase in outpatient diagnostic studies. Importantly, some of these changes were suggested to be part of future oncology clinical trials' routine, particularly the ones regarding remote methods, such as telemedicine. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this was the first survey to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on Latin American oncology clinical trials. The results are consistent with surveys from other world regions. These findings may endorse improvements in clinical trials' processes and management in the postpandemic period.

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“…The intensity of a pandemic’s short-term effects on healthcare workers differs in terms of stress, insomnia, anxiety, and depression. It can range from mild difficulty to suicide, depending on factors such as age, sex, and type of work [ 24 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) Questionnaire to Assess Levels of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in Healthcare and Administrative Staff in 5 Oncology Institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina During the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic

et al. 2021

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Background Providing oncology services during a pandemic can contribute to mental health challenges among healthcare workers. The present study aimed to evaluate the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress in healthcare and administrative staff in 5 oncology institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) in 2020 during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) questionnaire. Material/Methods A cross-sectional observational study enrolled 175 healthcare and administrative workers from 5 oncology institutions in BiH during December 2020. Data were collected using a questionnaire that captured general information about the participants and a DASS-21 questionnaire. Results Statistical analysis revealed a statistically significant difference in the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress ( P =0.003, P =0.011, and P =0.022, respectively) among participants with comorbidities connected with increased risk of severe illness caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) compared with participants without comorbidities. There was also a statistically significant difference in the levels of stress among participants from different cities ( P =0.031). Supplement intake and educational level were significantly related ( P =0.012). High levels of stress and anxiety were accompanied by high levels of depression among participants ( P <0.01). Conclusions The findings from the present study showed that the COVID-19 pandemic has had an effect on depression, anxiety, and stress levels in oncology staff in BiH. Monitoring these levels and providing interventions and support to oncology staff are increasingly important for their wellbeing and retention at a time of global crisis in healthcare.

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Addressing the Mental Health Challenges of Cancer Care Workers in LMICs During the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Cited by 14 publications

References 12 publications

A Scoping Review of Psychosocial Risks to Health Workers during the Covid-19 Pandemic

A Scoping Review of Psychosocial Risks to Health Workers during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Oncology Clinical Research in Latin America (LACOG 0420)

Use of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) Questionnaire to Assess Levels of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in Healthcare and Administrative Staff in 5 Oncology Institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina During the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic

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