The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Palliative Care Practice for Cancer: A Qualitative Study among Clinical Oncologists

Purpose: Palliative care is an essential intervention to improve the quality of life for patients with cancer, whereas the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic poses a challenge to supportive and palliative care providers. This survey aims to explore the current status of palliative care practice for cancer and the specific influence of COVID-19, from the perspective of oncologists. Methods: : The mixed-mode surveys including electronic questionnaires, face-to-face interactions, and telephone interviews were adopted to investigate specialised physicians working in cancer-related departments. Data including demographics, experiences and opinions of oncologists regarding the impact of COVID-19 on clinical work in oncology, their personal lives, and palliative care practice were collected and qualitatively analysed. Individual suggestions on coping strategies were further proposed. Results: : Thirty-seven oncologists participated in this study from September 2021 to January 2022. The majority of them believed COVID-19 significantly and negatively affected their clinical work routines (75.7%), personal daily lives (67.6%), and palliative care practice (64.9%). Most specialists considered that nowadays the palliative care system remained underdeveloped (73.0%), and other factors besides COVID-19 were associated with this situation (78.4%). Participants further proposed some suggestions to promote palliative care practice during COVID-19, including more online guidance on palliative care for cancer patients (35.3%), strengthening remote multidisciplinary cooperation (29.4%), encouraging home-based palliative care (17.6%), and updating more information on COVID-19 in palliative medicine guidelines (5.9%), etc. Conclusion: COVID-19 had significantly adverse effects on cancer palliative care practice, while other factors should not be overlooked. Corresponding measures to encourage supportive and palliative care during COVID-19 are warranted.