César Fuquen Leal
Latin News Agency for Medicine and Public Health
A group of Latin American researchers in which Puerto Rican specialists participate, seeks to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 in oncological practices and the management of cancer patients in Latin America.
Furthermore, through the results of a poll describe the changes in the routine management of patients with a new cancer diagnosis. Above all, in those who before the pandemic were receiving targeted therapies to counteract the effects of their disease.
The Journal of Medicine and Public Health (MSP) had the opportunity to interview the research group of the HOLA COVID-19 study, which means ‘Hematology Oncology in Latin America’.
“Working in the Bronx I was in contact with the Latino population and minorities working as an oncologist during COVID and I had to be ready to help the community. Then I realized all the problems that were happening in our community. (…) It is very important to know what are the limitations that our colleagues in Central America and in health in Latin America in general are experiencing during this time. Especially to see in this population that is much more vulnerable as cancer patients are ”, explained Dr. Carolina Bernabé, principal investigator Essen Medical Health, NY in dialogue with MSP.
Limitations on the use of telemedicine during the pandemic?
Another objective of the HOLA COVID-10 study is to evaluate the use of telemedicine in oncology practices in Latin America during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to one of the research participants, they are focusing on the experience of oncologists in Latin America to identify the challenges and experiences they live with their patients on a daily basis.
“Mostly we are focusing on doctors and what has been the experience they have had in their day to day practice. In knowing if the volume of patients has increased, decreased, how they have implemented things like telemedicine, since that has been something that is being strongly implemented throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and in other countries. But we know that not everyone has access”, explicó la Dra. Ana I. Velázquez, MSc, Medical Oncology Fellow at University of California San Francisco.
Other topics to discuss
According to Dr. Vélazquez, the study also investigates how the pandemic has affected the physical-mental exhaustion of health professionals. In addition, they want to identify how the pandemic has affected access to treatment for cancer patients.
“Other areas that we are super interested in are doctor fatigue and work level. We know that many of the doctors who perhaps were not in the hospital before, now have to be treating patients with COVID depending on the need in the country and the volume of patients. The most important part, in my opinion, is knowing how it has impacted our patients in the treatment of cancer. It is very important that it be done on time. Time in is critical in terms of knowing if it is curable or metastatic “Galena mentioned.
Investigation methodology
According to the researchers, this is a cross-sectional survey study of doctors caring for cancer patients in Latin America. To locate the participants they will use email, social networks or other local communication methods (such as periodicals, professional group chats, etc.) in Spanish and English.
Subsequently, a brief description of the project will be given and a Survey Monkey link will be provided to complete an online questionnaire. The questionnaire will be available in Spanish and English, participants will be able to select their preferred language. According to Dr. Olazagasti, study participant, the questionnaire was designed by the authors (who are native bilingual providers of Spanish and English oncology) and the responses will be kept anonymous.
“The project survey came out on August 4 and we already have approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the University of Wisconsin and we have connected with hundreds of ambassadors in different countries of Latin America and also collaborators to distribute the surveys and then begin the process of analyzing the data”, determinó la Dra. Coral Olazagasti, Hematology Oncology Fellow at Zucker School of Medicine Hofstra/Northwell
Furthermore, Dr. Olazagasti assures that the survey will serve as an opportunity for oncologist hematologists to share their perspectives on how COVID-19 has affected their practice and patients.
“The survey will contain questions about the type of practice, how patients and regimens have been affected by the pandemic, and how telemedicine has been incorporated into practice. For example, We will investigate delays in cancer treatment, changes in therapy regimens, and changes in the frequency with which chemotherapy is administered, the use of oral chemotherapy agents, among others. The survey will remain open for 4 weeks. During this time, physicians can be contacted by email weekly and contacted through a continuous outreach on social media. Their participation is totally voluntary ”, explained the hematologist Coral to MSP.
Watch the full interview below.
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