COVID-19 influence on adherence to oncological treatment: an integrative review

• Autor(a) principal: Sales, Gabrielle Silva
• Data de Publicação: 2022
• Outros Autores: Vasconcelos, Rosane Maria Andrade, Fernandes, Lívia Maciel, Grey, Katsury Ribeiro, Almeida, Ana Maria Rezende Machado, Pedroso, Rayanni Freire Alves
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Revista Baiana de Saúde Pública (Online)
• Texto Completo: https://rbsp.sesab.ba.gov.br/index.php/rbsp/article/view/3759
• topic: Câncer; Aderência ao tratamento; Covid-19; Cáncer; Adherencia al tratamiento; Covid-19; Cancer; Treatment adherence; Covid-19

Several aspects influence cancer patients’ low level of treatment adherence, which is around 48%. In a typical context, this number already warrants huge concern, let alone during the SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic. Hence, this integrative literature review sought to identify how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the therapeutic follow-up of cancer patients and which measures were implemented to ensure it. Bibliographic search was conducted by two independent researchers on the PubMed database. Of the 161 articles identified, twenty were included after applying the exclusion criteria and critical analysis. Many studies observed adherence to telemedicine and digital resources, systematic testing and symptom screening for COVID-19. Moreover, social distancing measures within health centers, reorganization of common spaces, and changes in the frequency of chemotherapy sessions were also noted. Overall, patients undergoing treatment reported experiencing fear and anxiety. Thus, the COVID-19 pandemic initially compromised treatment adherence, requiring adjustments in health services to ensure patient safety and allow the correct follow-up of therapy.