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. 2020 Oct:6:1674-1683.
doi: 10.1200/GO.20.00376.

Professional and Psychological Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Oncology Residents: A National Survey

Marc Hilmi  1   2 , Alice Boilève  2   3 , Anabelle Ducousso  2 , Morgan Michalet  4   5 , Anthony Turpin  6 , Cindy Neuzillet  1 , Natacha Naoun  2   7
Affiliations

Professional and Psychological Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Oncology Residents: A National Survey

Marc Hilmi et al. JCO Glob Oncol. 2020 Oct.

Abstract

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected clinical practice in oncology, leading to organizational, ethical, and medical issues. In particular, it has raised challenges in the context of competing care priorities between COVID-19 and cancer treatment. Residents on the front line face difficulties related to increasing care needs and urgent reorganization of health care systems while managing psychological stress and uncertainty. We aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on oncology residents.

Methods and materials: We conducted a national survey (39 questions) in France among oncology and radiation therapy residents to determine the psychological impact and professional difficulties (eg, reassignment, training/research time, supervision, teleworking, management of patients) associated with the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results: Overall, 222 residents (medical oncologists, 61%; radiation therapists, 39%) participated in our survey, representing approximately one third of all residents and fellows in France. One third of respondents had been reassigned to a COVID-19 ward. Training and research activity decreased for 89% and 41% of respondents, respectively. Two thirds (70%) of respondents declared that they had faced ethical issues, 35% felt worried about their own health, and 23% experienced psychological distress. According to the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, 32% were anxious and 17% depressed. Consumption of tobacco, psychostimulants, and alcohol increased in 31%, 24%, and 29% of respondents, respectively.

Conclusion: French oncology residents were highly affected by the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of professional activity and psychological impact. This national survey can be used as a basis for improved management, medical reorganization, and training of residents during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

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Conflict of interest statement

Anthony Turpin

Honoraria: Amgen, Merck Serono, Servier

Consulting or Advisory Role: Amgen

Travel, Accommodations, Expenses: AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Sanofi, Merck

Cindy Neuzillet

Honoraria: Servier, Roche, AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, Amgen, Merck, MSD Oncology, Novartis, Pierre Fabre, Incyte, Mylan, Baxter, Fresenius Kabi, Nutricia

Research Funding: Roche (Inst), AstraZeneca (Inst), OSE Immunotherapeutics (Inst)

Travel, Accommodations, Expenses: OSE Immunotherapeutics, MSD Oncology, Merck, Amgen, Mylan

No other potential conflicts of interest were reported.

Figures

FIG 1
FIG 1
Professional impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on French oncology residents during the first peak regarding (A) reassignment, (B) shifts, (C) training, and (D) research activities.
FIG 2
FIG 2
Residents’ opinions about quality of care, supervision, and impact on their career during the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. A virtual visual analog scale (VAS) was rated from 0 to 100.
FIG 3
FIG 3
Residents’ opinions about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the future of oncology as regards (A) suboptimal care, (B) cancer research slowdown, and (C) knowledge sharing slowdown.
FIG 4
FIG 4
Psychological impact of the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic on oncology residents. (A) Prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms among residents using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and (B) representation of the support and consequences of the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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