Patients’ expectations of preventive measures of medical institutions during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Germany in women with an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer: a cross-sectional, web-based survey

Abstract

ObjectivesTo identify patient-approved contingency measures for protection of patients and healthcare workers (HCWs) from COVID-19 infection and to use these findings to improve staff’s preparedness to cope with the course of this pandemic or similar situations.Methods (design, setting, participants, interventions)We conducted a cross-sectional, web-based survey of women with an increased risk of breast or ovarian cancer, regardless of whether they had experienced an active malignant disease during the pandemic. A self-reported questionnaire, developed for this study, was used to assess expectations and opinions about preventive measures within medical institutions.ResultsSixty-four (71.9%) of the 89 potential participants responded to at least one question regarding contingency measures within medical institutions. Approximately 37% of the respondents preferred having information about their facility’s hygiene protocols before appointment; 57.8% of the respondents endorsed regular SARS-CoV-2 testing of patients prior to medical appointments and 95.3% endorsed regular testing of HCWs. Additionally, 84.4% of the respondents supported HCWs’ use of surgical masks and 68.8% supported HCWs’ use of masks with greater protection. Notably, 75.0% of the respondents advocated for the presence of a significant other during medical consultations; 71.9% approved the use of telemedicine and 93.8% endorsed changes in appointment practices to enable social distancing. No significant associations were found between respondents’ sociodemographic, disease-specific or pandemic-specific factors and their opinions on hygiene precautions.ConclusionsPatients at high risk of infection or severe course of COVID-19 approve strict contingency measures designed to lower the transmission of COVID-19 in medical facilities. Moreover, vulnerable groups may profit from contingency plans in healthcare facilities in order to follow preventive measures, avoid diagnostic delay or avoid worsening of pre-existing conditions. However, they also value the presence of a significant other during medical consultations and procedures.

Factors Associated with Increased Analgesic Use in German Women with Endometriosis during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…In Germany, the first widespread social distancing measures were implemented by the government at the end of March 2020 [ 17 , 18 ]. Access to health services was restricted for persons without serious conditions, such as cancer [ 19 ], creating new obstacles for individuals with chronic pain, such as women with endometriosis, to seek the alleviation of pain symptoms and an improvement in their quality of life [ 20 ].…”