DUBLIN, Ohio, Dec. 3, 2020
/PRNewswire/ -- In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S.
oncologists have adjusted patient care by embracing telemedicine
and switching more patients to oral therapies to limit office
visits—but personally, more oncologists may be experiencing burnout
due to the loss of face-to-face interactions with patients,
according to new research from Cardinal Health Specialty
Solutions.
These findings were released today in the eighth edition
of Oncology Insights, a research-based report series
analyzing the views of more than 190 U.S. oncologists via surveys
conducted in September through November
2020. This issue explores how oncologists are adapting their
practices and caring for patients during the pandemic – and points
to changes that may continue after COVID-19.
Nearly all participating oncologists (97%) said they used
telemedicine during a peak stage of the pandemic, and they are
generally satisfied with the experience. Nearly six in 10
participating oncologists said their telemedicine experience has
been "highly positive" (10%) or "better than expected" (49%). About
80% of participating oncologists said they expect to continue using
telemedicine with some patients after the pandemic.
Other key findings include:
- Most respondents (65%) said they have moved some patients from
infused therapies to oral therapies to limit office visits and
nearly half said the pandemic will drive greater use of oral
therapies in the future.
- About three-fourths of participants said they are "very
confident" or "confident" that their practices will return to
pre-pandemic levels of success and profitability after COVID-19
wanes.
- Burnout remains a significant issue, with half of the
participating oncologists reporting they feel symptoms. Oncologists
cited loss of face-to-face patient interaction as the leading
cause.
"COVID-19 has posed enormous challenges for medical
professionals across every discipline, but the impact on
oncologists is particularly acute because of the number of patients
who must continue treatment despite the circumstances,"
said Heidi Hunter, President of Cardinal Health Specialty
Solutions. "Our survey illustrates how oncologists have responded
COVID-19 with resourcefulness and resiliency, while managing
through higher levels of stress than ever before."
About the Survey
The findings in Oncology
Insights are based on web-based surveys conducted in
September, October and November 2020.
The survey included participation from more than 190 U.S
oncologists, representing a diverse mix of community and
hospital-based practices. The report also includes viewpoints from
Cardinal Health Chief Medical Officer Bruce Feinberg, DO, and
Vice President and Senior Medical Director Ajeet Gajra, MD, MBBS, FACP.
About Cardinal Health
Cardinal Health is a
distributor of pharmaceuticals, a global manufacturer and
distributor of medical and laboratory products, and a provider of
performance and data solutions for health care facilities. With 50
years in business, operations in 46 countries and approximately
48,000 employees globally, Cardinal Health is essential to care.
Information about Cardinal Health is available at
http://www.cardinalhealth.com.
Contacts
Media: to request a copy of the report,
please contact Marcia Frederick,
marcia.frederick@cardinalhealth.com and (614) 757-9968; Investors:
Kevin Moran,
kevin.moran@cardinalhealth.com and (614) 757-7942.
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SOURCE Cardinal Health