Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic affects all healthcare services, including cancer care. Consequently, our institution implemented several changes in accordance with the National guidelines for managing COVID-19 transmission. However, the patients’ perception of such changes is unknown. The objective of this study is to explore the knowledge of cancer patients on COVID-19, their perceptions towards the changes in oncology service, and to identify key elements that contribute to their level of anxiety or comfort. Methods: Written questionnaires were given out to cancer patients indicated or undergoing chemotherapy between 23rd June and 3rd July 2020 in a tertiary referral hospital. Data collection was performed 75 days after the implementation of hospital and oncology services changes in response to COVID-19. Results: A total of 221 cancer patients participated in this study. The majority of patients possess adequate knowledge and practice appropriate preventive actions. They expressed a positive attitude towards the changes in hospital policies and contented with the consistency of chemotherapy services. The television and internet (social media, communication apps) were the main sources of information for the patient.Conclusion: Our institution managed to maintain the consistency of chemotherapy services, despite the implementation of several changes in hospital and treatment policies. With adequate education, patients can remain content and express a positive attitude towards the changes in their treatment experience. Both health care personnel and policymakers should consistently be updated with the continuous surge of publications regarding COVID-19 and adjust their decisions with the best evidence-based practice.
Highlights
The Indonesian authority declared the first confirmed case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) positive patient on 2nd March 2020, a month after the WHO declared the COVID-19 outbreak a public health emergency [1,2]
Numerous health officials and expert groups published a multitude of guides on how to care for cancer patients affected by COVID-19 including general precautionary measures to reduce virus transmission [5,6,7,8,9,10]
The objective of this study is to explore cancer patients’ perception of oncology service amid the pandemic and to identify key elements that contribute to their level of anxiety or comfort
Summary
The Indonesian authority declared the first confirmed case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) positive patient on 2nd March 2020, a month after the WHO declared the COVID-19 outbreak a public health emergency [1,2]. By Mid July, 80.094 Indonesians were infected with a mortality rate of 4.74% [3] This highly infectious disease has impacted all aspects of daily life and healthcare services, including cancer care. The majority of patients possess adequate knowledge and practice appropriate preventive actions They expressed a positive attitude towards the changes in hospital policies and contented with the consistency of chemotherapy services. Conclusion: Our institution managed to maintain the consistency of chemotherapy services, despite the implementation of several changes in hospital and treatment policies. Patients can remain content and express a positive attitude towards the changes in their treatment experience Both health care personnel and policymakers should consistently be updated with the continuous surge of publications regarding COVID-19 and adjust their decisions with the best evidence-based practice
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