Impact of COVID-19 on psychosocial care of cancer patients

Editor's Note

The psychosocial needs of cancer patients are not being adequately met because of the disruption in services caused by COVID-19, this study from the UK finds.

Researchers from six universities surveyed 94 psychosocial oncology professionals and identified a number of concerns, including:

• The suspension of face-to-face delivery of patient care and the social isolation has led to heightened feelings of anxiety and distress.
• Patients have had treatment plans altered (eg, chemotherapy or radiotherapy instead of surgery), and new diagnoses are down significantly.
• The use of telephone/video calls to complete assessments has proven to be difficult, especially if there was no existing relationship.

The results of the survey clearly demonstrate the major upheaval COVID-19 has caused for cancer patients, the researchers say. Because of the current prioritization of resources and services, psychosocial needs of cancer patients are not being adequately met, which will soon result in an influx of patients in need.