The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on suspected head and neck cancer two-week-wait referrals
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Authors
Arnold, W
Bhamra, Navdeep
Fussey, Jonathan
Gorman, B
Jolly, Karan
Liew, Leonard
Issue Date
2022-03-01
Journal
Type
Article
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Keywords
Adult
Cancer
Communicable disease control
Consultation
COVID-19
Delayed diagnosis
Female
Head and neck neoplasms
Head neoplasms
Male
Middle aged
Multicentre study
Neck neoplasms
Peer-reviewed article
Patient acceptance of health care
Referral
Retrospective study
Time factors
United Kingdom
Waiting lists
Waiting times
Cancer
Communicable disease control
Consultation
COVID-19
Delayed diagnosis
Female
Head and neck neoplasms
Head neoplasms
Male
Middle aged
Multicentre study
Neck neoplasms
Peer-reviewed article
Patient acceptance of health care
Referral
Retrospective study
Time factors
United Kingdom
Waiting lists
Waiting times
Journal Title
The Journal of Laryngology and Otology
Volume
136
Issue
3
Begin page
248
End page
251
Abstract
Background
The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 extends far beyond the immediate burden on healthcare systems caused by hospitalisation of patients with the disease itself.
Objective
To investigate the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on the referral rate of patients to the suspected head and neck cancer two-week-wait clinic.
Methods
A multicentre retrospective study was performed investigating data collected for all patients attending the suspected head and neck cancer two-week-wait clinic in ENT departments in the West Midlands.
Results
A total of 509 fast-track referrals were received from February to April in 2019, compared to 399 referrals in 2020. April 2020 saw a 62.4 per cent reduction in referral rate compared to April 2019.
Conclusion
The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has resulted in changes to health-seeking behaviours, and healthcare provision and delivery. Urgent policy interventions may be required to compensate for the hidden impact that the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has had on those with cancer.
Citation
Bhamra N, Gorman B, Arnold W, Rajah A, Jolly K, Nieto H, Fussey J, Liew L. The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on suspected head and neck cancer two-week-wait referrals. J Laryngol Otol. 2022 Mar;136(3):248-251. doi: 10.1017/S0022215121001717. Epub 2021 Jun 23. PMID: 34158135.