Purpose The state of limited resource settings that Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has created globally should be taken seriously into account especially in healthcare sector. In oncofertility, patients should receive their fertility preservation treatments urgently even in limited resource settings before initiation of anticancer therapy. Therefore, it is very crucial to learn more about oncofertility practice in limited resource settings such as in developing countries that suffer often from shortage of healthcare services provided to young patients with cancer. Methods As an extrapolation during the global crisis of COVID-19 pandemic, we surveyed oncofertility centers from 14 developing countries (
PURPOSEOncofertility practice continues to grow in developing countries despite the
lack of health care services, especially those related to cancer care. The
purpose of this study is to further explore oncofertility practice in these
countries and identify opportunities for field-wide coalescence.METHODSWe generated a survey to learn more about oncofertility practice in nine
developing countries within our Oncofertility Consortium Global Partners
Network—Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, Argentina, Chile, Nigeria, South
Africa, Saudi Arabia, and India. Their responses were collected, reviewed,
and discussed.RESULTSSurveyed centers from the nine developing countries continue to experience a
similar set of common challenges, including a lack of awareness among
providers and patients, cultural and religious constraints, lack of
insurance coverage and funding to help to support oncofertility programs,
and high out-of-pocket costs for patients. Despite these barriers, many
opportunities exist and there is great potential for the future.CONCLUSIONThe current need is to unify the new technologies and best practices that
emerge from rural communities and developing countries with those in large
metropolitan cities, both domestically (US based) and abroad, into a
functional unit: the Oncofertility Professional Engagement Network. The
Oncofertility Professional Engagement Network will bridge the gap between
domestic and international programs to establish a strong global network in
which members share resources, methodologies and experiences and further
build cultural competency.
PURPOSE Oncofertility practice continues to grow in developing countries despite the lack of health care services, especially those related to cancer care. The purpose of this study is to further explore oncofertility practice in these countries and identify opportunities for field-wide coalescence. METHODS We generated a survey to learn more about oncofertility practice in nine developing countries within our Oncofertility Consortium Global Partners Network—Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, Argentina, Chile, Nigeria, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and India. Their responses were collected, reviewed, and discussed. RESULTS Surveyed centers from the nine developing countries continue to experience a similar set of common challenges, including a lack of awareness among providers and patients, cultural and religious constraints, lack of insurance coverage and funding to help to support oncofertility programs, and high out-of-pocket costs for patients. Despite these barriers, many opportunities exist and there is great potential for the future. CONCLUSION The current need is to unify the new technologies and best practices that emerge from rural communities and developing countries with those in large metropolitan cities, both domestically (US based) and abroad, into a functional unit: the Oncofertility Professional Engagement Network. The Oncofertility Professional Engagement Network will bridge the gap between domestic and international programs to establish a strong global network in which members share resources, methodologies and experiences and further build cultural competency.
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