Journal of General and Family Medicine (Mar 2023)

Cancer detection during the COVID‐19 pandemic—Experiences in primary care and recommendations for the future

  • Marinde F. R. Siepman Van den Berg,
  • Matthew Grant,
  • Nicole vanErp,
  • Carla H. vanGils,
  • Jean Muris,
  • Daan Brandenbarg,
  • Kristel M. vanAsselt,
  • Niek J. deWit,
  • Charles W. Helsper,
  • COVID and Cancer‐NL Consortium

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/jgf2.597
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 24, no. 2
pp. 131 – 134

Abstract

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Abstract Background To describe general practitioners (GPs) experiences with the impact COVID‐19 on the duration of cancer detection. Methods Cross‐sectional survey study among Dutch GPs. Results Fifty‐eight GPs participated. During the first wave, COVID‐19‐related delays were experienced by 88%, 52%, and 67% of GPs in the contact‐seeking, primary care, and referral phases, respectively. GPs reported delays due to telehealth consultations, longer waiting times and patient's concerns of COVID infections and overburdening GPs. Conclusions The majority of GPs experienced delays in cancer diagnostic processes during the beginning of the COVID pandemic, which was most prominent in the timeliness in which patients sought GP care.

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