continues with the aim to detect recurrence, manage side effects of treatment,
and ensure general health maintenance. What were the impacts on the disruption
of follow-up care caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on gynecological cancer
patients?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, follow-up care was forced to be scaled down for most cancer survivors. Patients came less frequently to a hospital for check-ups or the appointment was replaced by a telephone or video consultation.
Gynecologist-oncologists Annemijn Aarts and Luc van Lonkhuijzen: “This situation offers the unique opportunity to investigate the effect of this alternative follow-up care compared to traditional care.”
Supported by a grant from ZonMW (€ 200,000), the researchers will investigate:
- Did patients lack essential follow-up care during the pandemic?
- What was the effect of decreased visitation / alternative consultation on the time to detect a recurrence?
- What do women consider important aspects of follow-up care?
In a quantitative cohort study, a cohort of women treated for cervical, vulva, ovarian, or high-stage endometrial carcinoma that were in a follow-up care stage during the COVID-19 crisis will be compared to a historical cohort of women using data from the Dutch Cancer Registry, the Central Bureau of Statistics, and health insurers. The number of visits to the outpatient clinic, the number of telephone and video consultations, and the time for detection of recurrence will be investigated.
In the qualitative part of the study, focus groups with patients will explore their experiences with alternative follow-up care during the COVID pandemic.
The combined results will form the basis for recommendations for improving future follow-up care for patients treated for gynecological cancers.
For more information contact Annemijn Aarts.
Researchers involved at Cancer Center Amsterdam
Annemijn Aarts
Luc van Lonkhuijzen
This article was created for Cancer Center Amsterdam.
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