Abstract
AbstractIntroduction:Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has significantly challenged the access to cancer care and follow-up for a patient with cancer.Methods:Based on published literature and our experiences, it is reasonable to presume that clinical examination and follow-up visits have been significantly curtailed worldwide in order to adhere to the new norms during the pandemic. Although telephonic and telemedicine consultations may help bridge a few gaps, completely dispensing with in-person consultation has its challenges, especially in low middle-income countries. Telephonic consultations could facilitate triaging of ambulatory cancer patients and allocation of face-to-face consultations for high priority patients.Conclusions:We propose a telephonic consultation-based triaging approach for ambulatory cancer patients in order to identify those needing in-hospital consultations.
Highlights
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has significantly challenged the access to cancer care and follow-up for a patient with cancer
Redeployment of oncology staff to COVID-19 workflow has contributed towards curtailment of cancer care.[3]
The pandemic demands attention, it cannot undermine the importance of the initial examination, patient communication, treatment review and follow-ups in a cancer care setting
Summary
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has significantly challenged the access to cancer care and follow-up for a patient with cancer. The care of a patient commences with the first consultation and often continues into a lifelong therapeutic bond despite cure or disease progression.[1] Clinical examination is an essential component of disease evaluation, assessing clinical response and toxicity and complements imaging findings.[2] Minimisation of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection risks necessitated cancellation or rescheduling of elective outpatient follow-ups.
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