Psychosocial perspective of patients with gynecological cancer towards medical services during the coronavirus disease pandemic at RSUD Dr. Soetomo, Surabaya, Indonesia

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the attitudes, anxieties, and expectations of patients with gynecological cancer towards treatment and services during the pandemic. This observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study included 326 participants (246 outpatients and 80 oncology inpatients) at RSUD Dr. Soetomo, Surabaya, Indonesia from August 30, 2021 to October 2, 2021. A COVID-19-related questionnaire and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale questionnaire were administered. The patients (median age, 51 years; range: 13–80 years) were diagnosed with cervical (51.2%), ovarian (26.1%), and endometrial cancers (9.2%). Cervical and ovarian cancers most frequently occurred at ages 36–55 years compared to endometrial cancer (32.2% versus 15.6%). Overall, 249 patients (76.4%) were concerned/worried about the pandemic affecting cancer medical services, 213 (65.3%) were worried about not being able to visit an oncologist on schedule during the pandemic, and 276 (84.7%) were worried about disease progression if treatment/routine evaluation was canceled/postponed. In total, 197 patients (60.4%) stated that there was no delay in service/treatment during the pandemic. Thirty-nine patients (12%) had moderate anxiety, 9 (2.8%) had severe anxiety, 23 (7.1%) had moderate depression, and 0 had major depression.