HOLA COVID-19 Study: Evaluating the Impact of Caring for Patients With COVID-19 on Cancer Care Delivery in Latin America

Abstract

PURPOSE The HOLA COVID-19 study sought to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on oncology practices across Latin America (LATAM), challenges faced by physicians, and how practices and physicians adapted while delivering care to patients with cancer. METHODS This international cross-sectional study of oncology physicians in LATAM included a 43-item anonymous online survey to evaluate changes and adaptations to clinical practice. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the association of caring for patients with COVID-19 and changes to clinical practice. RESULTS A total of 704 oncology physicians from 19 countries completed the survey. Among respondents, the most common specialty was general oncology (34%) and 56% of physicians had cared for patients with COVID-19. The majority of physicians (70%) noted a decrease in the number of new patients evaluated during the COVID-19 pandemic when compared with prepandemic, and 73% reported adopting the use of telemedicine in their practice. More than half (58%) of physicians reported making changes to the treatments that they offered to patients with cancer. In adjusted models, physicians who had cared for patients with COVID-19 had higher odds of changing the type of chemotherapy or treatments that they offered (adjusted odds ratio 1.81; 95% CI, 1.30 to 2.53) and of delaying chemotherapy start (adjusted odds ratio 2.05; 95% CI, 1.49 to 2.81). Physicians identified significant delays in access to radiation and surgical services, diagnostic tests, and supportive care. CONCLUSION The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted global cancer care. Although changes to health care delivery are a necessary response to this global crisis, our study highlights the significant disruption and changes to the treatment plans of patients with cancer in LATAM resulting from the COVID-19 health care crisis.

Sobrevivência ao câncer

“…A média do GHSI para os países da ALC foi de 61,73 de 100, abaixo da pontuação dos países da OCDE, que atingiram 73,46 de 100 (Figura 2.5). Neste caso, a Austrália, Canadá, Portugal, Eslovênia e Reino Unido lideraram o grupo (Bell and Nuzzo, 2021 [29]).…”

“…Fonte: Sino e Nuzzo (2021 [29]) Índice de Segurança Sanitária Global: Advancing Collective Action and Accountability Amid Global Crisis, https://www.ghsindex.org/.…”

Looking Back: International Practice Patterns in Breast Radiation Oncology From a Case-Based Survey Across 54 Countries During the First Surge of the COVID-19 Pandemic

“… 6 Oncologists also reduced patient visitation, recommending initial surgery over preoperative chemotherapy, 6 , 8 and delayed reconstructive surgery after mastectomy. 8 , 10 While institutions, 12 - 14 nations, 8 , 11 , 15 - 17 and regions 6 , 7 , 10 , 18 , 19 reported treatment modifications during COVID-19's peak, the global impact on BC treatment modification has not been collectively assessed. Our unique study is the only case-based global survey evaluating changes to RT recommendations for BC during the pandemic's first surge, which varied by country.…”