The tele-transition of toxicity management in routine oncology care during the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Telehealth modalities were introduced during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic to assure continuation of cancer care and maintain social distance. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort analysis of our telehealth expansion programme. We adapted two existing patientreported outcome (PRO) telemonitoring tools that register and (self-)manage toxicities to therapy, while screening for SARS-CoV-2related symptoms. Outpatients from a tertiary cancer centre were enrolled. The adapted PRO interface allowed for uniform registration of SARS-CoV-2-related symptoms and effective triage of patients at home where we also implemented systematic throat washings, when available. RESULTS: Three hundred and sixty patients registered to the telemonitoring systems from March 13 to May 15, 2020. Four prespecified SARS-CoV-2 alarms resulted in three patients with positive PCR testing. Other Covid-19 symptoms (fever 5× and cough 2×) led to pretreatment triage resulting in 1 seroconversion after initial negative testing. One of the 477 throat washings proved positive. CONCLUSIONS: The rapid adoption of an amended PRO (self-)registrations and toxicity management system was feasible and coordinated screening for Covid-19. Continued clinical cancer care was maintained, with significant decreased waiting time. The systemic screening with throat washings offered no real improvement.

Meeting the Challenges in Cancer Care Management During the SARS-Cov-2 Pandemic: A Retrospective Analysis

“…Telehealth was introduced with some mixed results: 1) A modified e-tool offering not only toxicity registration and management but also screened for SARS-CoV-2-related symptoms was well accepted. 22 However, we encountered reluctance to tele-consultations, which only 46.2% of patients regarded as a worthy surrogate to a face-to-face consultation. This probably resulted in the near similar number of specialist consultations, regardless of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic or not.…”

Reduced humoral immune response after BNT162b2 coronavirus disease 2019 messenger RNA vaccination in cancer patients under antineoplastic treatment

“…Patient reported outcomes (PROs) of local and systemic adverse events (AEs) were assessed via RemeCare Oncology, a web-based electronic platform for home toxicity monitoring. 19 , 20 Patients were educated for and equipped with this PRO-application and registered local and systemic reactions during seven days after each vaccine administration. Local reactogenicity was graded as mild, moderate or severe.…”

Patient care and access to clinical trials in gynaecological oncology: Global Implications of the Early Phase of the COVID-19 pandemic

“…In addition, telemedicine has been adopted by a variety of centres as virtual technology enables the conservation of PPE, reduces patient physician exposure, and allows for the sustainability of clinical education 7 . Tele-surveillance models using patient-reported outcomes proved to be a reliable tool in modern patient care as it is associated with improved compliance, survival rate, shorter waiting time, and reduced hospitalization 19 . Moreover, this tool has the added bene t of facilitating proper and effective screening and triage while maintaining scheduled appointments.…”

“…We conducted a joint survey of European Society for Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO), Gynecological Cancer Intergroup (GCIG), and Pan-Arabian Research Society for Gynecological Oncology (PARSGO) members, as well as European Network for Gynaecological Oncology Trials (ENGOT) groups to evaluate the initial impact of the COVID- 19 Pandemic on the management of patients with gynaecological malignancies from the multidisciplinary physicians' perspective. The particular focus was on clinical infrastructures, trial participation and maintenance therapy.…”