Social distress among medical oncologists and other healthcare professionals during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Italy

Abstract

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread to every country around the world taking on pandemic proportions. Since 8 March 2020, the Italian government ordered a nationwide lockdown with unavoidable social isolation. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) represent the most physically and emotionally involved category. The aim of this study is to assess the social distress among HCPs in Italy. Patients and methods In this online, totally anonymous survey, 24 multiple choice questions were posed to medical staff employed in the Italian Healthcare System during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data collection was performed from 30 March to 24 April 2020. Results A total of 600 HCPs completed the questionnaire. The majority of respondents expressed the fear of being at higher risk of contagion than the general population (83.3%) and the weighty concern of infecting their families (72.5%). An insufficient supply of personal protective equipment (PPE; P = 0.0003) and inadequate training about procedures to follow ( P = 0.0092) were seen to significantly coincide with these worries. More than two-thirds declared a change in family organisation, which showed a significant correlation with the concern of infecting their relatives ( P < 0.0001). Conclusions This is the first Italian survey on social distress among HCPs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The unavailability of PPE, screening procedures and adequate training strongly affected HCPs' emotional status. Although there was a predominance of oncologists (especially from the North of Italy), which impairs the generalisation of our findings, this survey underlined the social impact that this health emergency has had on HCPs.

Cancer patient perspective in the arena of COVID‐19 pandemic

“…During this pandemic, these gender differences were highlighted in female patients and health workers. 20 …”

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2–Specific Antibodies in Cancer Patients Undergoing Active Systemic Treatment: A Single-Center Experience from the Marche Region, Italy

“…All countries around the world are engaged in a massive struggle in order to slow down the pandemic and protect the population, in particular the frailest groups [14]. Patients and healthcare workers have been negatively impacted by the ongoing pandemic, not only physically but mentally too [15]. To this regard, the impact of COVID-19 on cancer patients is not clearly defined.…”

The emotional impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on cancer outpatients and their caregivers: results of a survey conducted in the midst of the Italian pandemic

“…The limitations in daily activities, the social isolation combined with the fear of contracting the infection and the uncertainties related to this new and unexpected condition have generated insecurity, anxiety and emotional distress [ 2 ]. Healthcare professionals (HCPs), who were on the frontline fighting the pandemic, have been one of the most physically and emotionally involved category [ 3 ]. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a reorganization of the Healthcare System, in particular for those people who needed to continue “life-saving” treatments, as in the case of cancer patients.…”