Psychooncological care for patients with cancer during 12 months of the Covid‐19 pandemic: Views and experiences of senior psychooncologists at German Comprehensive Cancer Centers

Abstract

Key points A monthly videoconference was maintained over 1 year, allowing senior psychooncologists from German Comprehensive Cancer Centers to discuss the implications of the Covid‐19 pandemic for psychooncological care. In the early phase of the pandemic, a widespread disruption of psychooncological services was noted. Rapidly developed adaptations of regular services worked well and sometimes brought about unexpected, creative solutions. In March 2021, the high numbers of infections, the occurrence of new variants of the coronavirus, and the slow progress in vaccination raise fears about new disruptions and restrictions in service provision. In coping with the pandemic, many therapists have felt like many cancer patients do feel in the process of coping with cancer, and this might help to better understand our patients.

Die Auswirkungen der COVID-19-Pandemie aus der Sicht ambulanter Krebspatienten

“…Insbesondere bei Patienten mit einem geschwächten Immunsystem ist das Risiko für einen schweren Verlauf im Falle einer Ansteckung mit SARS-CoV-2 erhöht und die Notwendigkeit einer gewissenhaften Einhaltung der Infektionsschutzmaßnahmen geboten 7 8 9 . Auch von strukturellen Anpassungen im Gesundheitssystem sind Krebspatientinnen und -patienten vielfach unmittelbar betroffen, etwa wenn es zu Verschiebungen der Therapie kommt oder der Zugang zu psychologischen Unterstützungsangeboten eingeschränkt ist 10 11 12 .…”

The Level of COVID-19 Anxiety among Oncology Patients in Poland

“…Given the results obtained, it is undeniably important for oncology patients facing health problems and stressful epidemiological situations to equip medical facilities with psychological support in the form of a specialized clinical psychologist, psychotherapist, or psycho-oncologist [ 71 ]. Professional emotional and psychological support play an important role in the comprehensive treatment of an oncology patient [ 72 ]. An experienced psycho-oncologist can help a patient cope with a difficult diagnosis and facilitate the patient’s path through treatment [ 73 ].…”

“…An experienced psycho-oncologist can help a patient cope with a difficult diagnosis and facilitate the patient’s path through treatment [ 73 ]. The support of a psycho-oncologist is important at every stage of cancer [ 72 ]. Experts often stress the importance of the so-called interdisciplinary and holistic approach to cancer treatment in modern oncology [ 73 ].…”

Psychosoziale Belastungen bei Krebs – Unterstützungsbedarfe und Versorgungsrealität

“…So gab es z. B. in den onkologischen Spitzenzentren in Deutschland eine rapide Veränderung hin zu videobasierter psychoonkologischer Behandlung 18 . Auch internationale Berichte über diese Entwicklung im Rahmen der Pandemie folgern, dass es eine hilfreiche Möglichkeit war, um die Versorgung aufrechtzuerhalten, und skizzieren Vor- und Nachteile 19 .…”