GLCC survey: Increased demand for patient-support services during COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has demanded agility in the way that patient organisations handle the requests placed upon them. In several instances, these shifts occurred with no additional financial support, often straining the organisation [1].

The Global Lung Cancer Coalition (GLCC) consists of 41 patient advocacy groups based in 40 countries, and it is dedicated to improving disease outcomes in lung cancer. A year after COVID-19 lockdowns were imposed on most countries in the world, the GLCC administered a 24-question survey to its members. The survey questions related to 5 major themes: level of patient demand for services during the pandemic, type of information patients sought, any changes to the provision of services due to the pandemic, the impact of these changes to the organisations’ financial standing, and information regarding access of lung cancer patients to COVID-19 vaccinations.

Prof. Matthew Peters (Concord Hospital, Australia) presented the survey outcomes. Among the 19 organisations that responded to the survey (which closed March 2021), 63% reported a 20–80% higher number of patient enquiries during the pandemic. The same percentage of respondents reported that there had been a shift in the type of support that patients were requesting; namely, information about the safety and availability of COVID-19 vaccination services and how COVID-19 would impact their treatment. Most respondents reported that they had begun to offer new digital services to cater to these new demands: webinars, online emotional support groups, and increased website content. At the time of the survey close, 79% of survey respondents indicated that COVID-19 vaccinations were available in their country.

While 6 organisations reported an increase in governmental funding during the pandemic, 7 reported no change. The GLCC suggested that more funding of patient organisations will be required as they continue to adapt to and serve the evolving needs of patients with lung cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic.

1. Peters M. Considering the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patient advocacy and support organisations. MA 05.03, WCLC 2021, 8–14 September.

 

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Posted on 21 September 20218 April 2024