Telemedicine and the current opportunities for the management of oncological patients in Peru in the context of COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic is the more challenging public health emergency of the century, producing the collapse of health systems and unprecedented levels of morbidity and mortality around the world, especially in low resource settings. Patients with chronic diseases are the most affected, not only due to the high susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection but also due to the decrease in opportunities for timely care. In this dark landscape, telemedicine, before limited to very specific scenarios, has become one of our main tools to manage cancer patients, particularly in Latin America where COVID-19 has had a strong impact on the public health. Telemedicine can provide rapid access to specialized cancer care in a scenario complicated, reducing the exposure of patients and healthcare personnel to the SARS-CoV-2. In this review, we would like to share our experience and our workflow using telemedicine at Oncosalud-AUNA, a private clinic in Peru.

Telemedicine in Peru as a Result of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Perspective from a Country with Limited Internet Access

“…91 During the first months of the pandemic, there was a delay in the diagnosis and treatment of thousands of patients with pathologies like cancer because the management of COVID-19 patients was priority. 92 The oncology areas in private clinics in Peru were gradually and partially opened to treat cancer patients while preventing them from getting infected with SARS-CoV-2. 92 To fulfill this objective, a guidance was launched for the management of cancer patients 93 detailing the biosecurity protocols, the protocol for online and phone consultations, and the considerations to have for chemotherapy treatment and surgical procedures.…”

“…92 The oncology areas in private clinics in Peru were gradually and partially opened to treat cancer patients while preventing them from getting infected with SARS-CoV-2. 92 To fulfill this objective, a guidance was launched for the management of cancer patients 93 detailing the biosecurity protocols, the protocol for online and phone consultations, and the considerations to have for chemotherapy treatment and surgical procedures. 92 Similar efforts have been implemented for diabetic patients to continue monitoring their disease during the pandemic.…”

“…92 To fulfill this objective, a guidance was launched for the management of cancer patients 93 detailing the biosecurity protocols, the protocol for online and phone consultations, and the considerations to have for chemotherapy treatment and surgical procedures. 92 Similar efforts have been implemented for diabetic patients to continue monitoring their disease during the pandemic. 94 The Cayetano Heredia National Hospital implemented a dedicated teleconsultation system for diabetic patients 95 based on the published directive for the teleconsultation, telemonitoring, and teleorientation of chronic patients published by the Peruvian public health system EsSalud.…”

The implications of COVID‐19 for health workforce planning and policy: the case of Peru

“…Table 1 shows the increase in MINSA and regional government facility staffing per subsector from additional hires, while Table 2 provides these data by role. Further, the pandemic has advanced the use of communication technologies within Peruvian health care, with some services expanding the use of tele‐health 22 …”

“…Further, the pandemic has advanced the use of communication technologies within Peruvian health care, with some services expanding the use of tele-health. 22 The additional contract workers were utilised in Rapid Response Teams that were involved with clinical assessment support, COVID-19 testing and sampling, home epidemiological investigation, in Clinical Monitoring Teams at care-monitoring centres and temporary isolation units and used for remote or home clinical monitoring of COVID-19 patients in home isolation or following hospital discharge, 23 in In-patient settings and Intensive Care Units, 24 for mental health care for COVID-19 25 , for care of indigenous peoples for COVID-19 26 and as part of REES ET AL.…”