Abstract
BackgroundThis descriptive, unplanned investigation has been undertaken to report reactions, attitudes and countermeasures which have been put in place and implemented by medical oncology units facing the COVID-19 outbreak in Southern Italy.Materials and methodsData have been retrospectively obtained from the time-related analysis of conversations via a WhatsApp messenger-based group chat between the medical directors belonging to the Italian College of Medical Oncology Directors. Overall number, intensity and time trend of conversations related to reactions during the 4 weeks of observation related to the crucial events which occurred between 24 February and 28 March, 2020 2020 are included. A sentiment analysis of conversations was also carried out.ResultsWe report 956 conversations among 19 medical oncology units related to reactions to the crucial events, such as epidemic spread, Government ordinances and guidelines during the 4 weeks of observation. Data show significant awareness of problems linked to the COVID-19 spread among oncologists and rapid diffusion of countermeasures. Actions taken were correlated time wise to crucial events. A correlation between conversations and the volume of activity of oncology units was found. By analysing the sentiment analysis of raw data, positive emotions were reduced in percentage over the weeks. A significant increase in negative emotions was observed as the outbreak impacted on the healthcare system.ConclusionIn our experience, the WhatsApp instant-messaging system seems to be a useful tool to share news and reactions between medical oncologists to rapidly implement necessary health measures and answers to most cancer patients’ needs and queries in the COVID-19 pandemic scenario.
Highlights
This descriptive, unplanned investigation has been undertaken to report reactions, attitudes and countermeasures which have been put in place and implemented by medical oncology units facing the COVID-19 outbreak in Southern Italy
We report 956 conversations among 19 medical oncology units related to reactions to the crucial events, such as epidemic spread, Government ordinances and guidelines during the 4 weeks of observation
We report the reactions, the attitudes and countermeasures which have been put in place and possibly implemented by most medical oncology units
Summary
This descriptive, unplanned investigation has been undertaken to report reactions, attitudes and countermeasures which have been put in place and implemented by medical oncology units facing the COVID-19 outbreak in Southern Italy. Data from the COVID-19 epidemic in China reported a significant mortality rate with the warning that aged patients and those with concomitant underlying disease are at risk of death [5, 6]. Among these patients, those affected by cancer, in particular lung carcinoma, and receiving immune-suppressive therapies represented a significant percentage of the whole series [7,8,9,10]. We employed data obtained from the time-related analysis of conversations via a pre-existing WhatsApp messengerbased group chat between the medical directors belonging to the Italian College of Medical Oncology Chiefs (CIPOMO—Collegio Italiano dei Primari Oncologi Medici Ospedalieri. www.cipomo.it)
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