Cancer outpatients during the COVID-19 pandemic: what Oncoral has to teach us about medical drug use and the perception of telemedicine

Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted healthcare access and telemedicine has been widely deployed. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of this health crisis on treatment consumption and telemedicine development in outpatients treated by oral anti-cancer agents and followed by the Oncoral hospital/community multidisciplinary program where continuity care is maintained by a pharmacist/nurse pair. Methods A prospective monocentric study was conducted among cancer patients who received Oncoral telephone follow-up during the 1st lockdown in France using a 56-item questionnaire which covered sociodemographic data, patient medication management, and telehealth. Results 178 patients received Oncoral follow-up during the 1st lockdown and 67.4% responded to the questionnaire. During lockdown, 9.2% of patients took medication or CAM for fatigue, 6.7% for mood alteration, 10.8% for sleep disorder, 11.7% for stress and anxiety, and 12.5% to get more energy. Homeopathy consumption was triggered by the pandemic. Habits about getting drugs from the pharmacy changed significantly (p < 0.001), while other treatment habits did not. 83% of patients were satisfied by the telephone follow-up established, 69% would be in favor of repeating this in case of a new epidemic wave. Those most in favor of using telemedicine seemed to be the youngest (p < 0.001), with several dependent children (p < 0.007), high school degree or higher education (p = 0.023), and in work (p < 0.001). Conclusion Health system reorganization enables to limit the impact of the crisis on patients' drug use in oncology care. Telemedicine is a promising public health tool.

Automated summary

This study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on treatment consumption and telemedicine development in outpatients receiving oral anti-cancer agents. The results showed that a portion of patients took medication or complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for various reasons during lockdown. The habits of obtaining drugs from the pharmacy changed significantly, while other treatment habits did not. Most patients were satisfied with the telephone follow-up and willing to continue using telemedicine in future epidemic waves.