ConclusionsLearning from other healthcare systems is not straightforward, but all systems face the same fundamental problems of quality, safety, access, usability, availability, and affordability-and all perform suboptimally. We see increasing examples of interaction and learning among systems. Such learning will benefit patients.Contributors and sources: LQ was a Rhodes scholar in Oxford and is now the chief executive of Ovations, which provides services for seniors in the United States. She also worked with Hillary Clinton on the reform of US health care. Formerly a member of the BMJ editorial board, she has worked closely with staff in the Department of Health and the NHS to establish programmes in England. RS was editor of the BMJ and chief executive of the BMJ Publishing Group for 13 years. Before becoming the editor he spent a year at the Graduate School of Business at Stanford in California. LQ and RS produced a list of possible options for transatlantic learning, partly through the experience and reading and partly through asking others on both sides of the Atlantic. RS produced the first draft, which LQ then corrected. Both have read and approved the final version. RS is the guarantor.
Background:
The recent pandemic of COVID-19 caused havoc on the health system globally and raised a lot of questions and issues. Treatment for cancer is an emergency that cannot be taken back, particularly in an era of global pandemics. Cancer treatment mainly includes chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy, and palliative care, and because of the pandemic, all of these treatments are affected. The COVID-19 pandemic also had a potential effect on the quality of life and mental health of patients as well as health workers.
Objective:
This systematic review was intended to discuss the quality of life of people with cancer in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic in India in the light of the best available facts.
Methods:
An extensive literature search was done on PubMed, Medline, Embase, Clinical Key and Google Scholar databases till 3rd Feb 2021. Out of 1455 research articles, 06 research articles were included in this systematic review.
Results:
The results showed that cancer treatment delivery was as per standard safety protocol and the best treatment decisions were made by scheduling and setting priority. Till data, no direct research was conducted on the Indian continent to assess the quality of life of cancer patients in the COVID-19 era. The effect on the quality of life of cancer patients is very large and needs to be explored more by further research. Issues to be discussed with health care administrators and policy makers further. The tele-oncology method of cancer care delivery to patients is another rational option which is applicable as well.
Conclusion:
This systematic review demonstrated up-to-date evidence regarding the quality of life of cancer patients in the COVID-19 era in India. No research has been done to assess the quality of life of cancer patients. Still, the area is unrevealed, but evidence from other global studies indicates an altered quality of life for cancer patients. To maintain quality of life, cancer physicians should make evidence-based decisions and incorporate multidisciplinary management into decision making.
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