Experiences of lung cancer patients during COVID-19: survey finds room for improvement

In a recent survey by the Global Lung Cancer Coalition (GLCC), patients reported that they experienced delays in diagnosis and did not feel that they were involved in treatment decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Some patients felt that they were not treated with dignity by their caregivers and did not feel comfortable with asking their treatment team for emotional support [1].

The GLCC consists of 41 patient advocacy groups based in 40 countries and it is dedicated to improving disease outcomes in lung cancer. In 2020 (pre-COVID), they had lung cancer patients from around the world complete an online survey to compare patient experiences between countries. The survey asked questions about demographics, diagnosis, interventions, and experiences. In 2021, the GLCC repeated the survey, adding questions about the emotional and physical impacts of their diagnosis, the impact of COVID-19, and how patients prefer to receive information. The findings of this 2021 survey were presented by Ms Jackie Fenemore (Lung Cancer Nursing, UK).

Although most respondents reported satisfaction with the time to diagnosis, a significant proportion of patients felt that their diagnoses had been unnecessarily delayed. In most countries, some patients felt that they were not as involved in decision-making about their treatment as they would have preferred. The proportion of patients who felt that they had been treated with dignity and respect varied.

Common emotional themes were anxiety, shame, fear of relapse, financial concerns, and worries for loved ones. Family and friends comprised the main sources of emotional support. Some respondents reported discomfort with seeking emotional support from their treatment team; some did not realise that this was an option. Most patients had undergone virtual consultations; they reported both advantages and disadvantages to this shift.

GLCC hopes that their findings will help to guide policymakers and healthcare practitioners who treat patients with lung cancer. More information can be found at https://www.lungcancercoalition.org/.

1. Fenemore J. Patients’ Experiences During COVID-19: Insights from the Second Global Lung Cancer Coalition Patient Experience Survey. MA 05.01, WCLC 2021, 8–14 September.

 

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Posted on 21 September, 2021