EP195/#447 Caregiver experience during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands

ObjectivesWe evaluated the experience of caregivers on the healthcare of gynaecological cancer patients during the first wave (March-June) of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 in the Netherlands.MethodsAn online questionnaire was sent to gynaecologists, gynaecological oncologists, medical- and radiation oncologists throughout the Netherlands. The self-developed questionnaire consisted of questions about gynaecological cancer in general and endometrial, ovarian, cervical and vulvar cancer specifically.ResultsSixty-four (63%) physicians participated: 33 gynaecologists (52%), 13 gynaecological oncologists (20%), 7 medical oncologists (11%) and 11 radiation oncologists (17%). Fifty-nine percent of the respondents (35/59) reported a change in the way of contact with patients during the ‘diagnostic phase’ : patients were more often contacted by telephone during the pandemic (80%, 28/35, e.g. first consult or discussing results). For ovarian cancer 17% (4/23) reported a change in type of surgery and 22% (11/49) in (neo)adjuvant treatment (e.g. delay, more cycles, referral). For endometrial 21% (12/56), cervical 26% (7/27) and vulvar cancer 32% (6/19) longer waiting times for surgery were reported (3% <1 week, 58% 1–3 weeks, 39% >3 weeks). Eighty-nine percent of the respondents (46/52) reported a change in follow-up: 91% (42/46) reported follow-up consultation by telephone or video, 63% (32/51) reported postponed follow-up appointments.ConclusionsThe questionnaire showed that during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, most caregivers experienced a different way of contact during the diagnostic and follow-up phase. Consultation by telephone could a good alternative in the follow-up phase, e.g. for low risk patients without symptoms, even after the pandemic.