Implementation of a Psycho-oncology Service in a public hospital of Southeast Brazil: between politics and the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction: The implementation of a Psycho-oncology Service depends on institutional, structural, and political factors affecting the availability and quality of this service. Recent events, such as the discontinuation of the Professional Improvement Course, a funding source that supports the trai...

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Main Authors: Daniel Paixão Pequeno, Karla Cristina Gaspar, Carmen Silvia Passos Lima, Gustavo Jacob Lourenço
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda. 2023-08-01
Series:Brazilian Journal of Oncology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.brazilianjournalofoncology.com.br/details/246/en-US/implementation-of-a-psycho-oncology-service-in-a-public-hospital-of-southeast-brazil--between-politics-and-the-covid-19-pandemic
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author Daniel Paixão Pequeno
Karla Cristina Gaspar
Carmen Silvia Passos Lima
Gustavo Jacob Lourenço
author_facet Daniel Paixão Pequeno
Karla Cristina Gaspar
Carmen Silvia Passos Lima
Gustavo Jacob Lourenço
author_sort Daniel Paixão Pequeno
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: The implementation of a Psycho-oncology Service depends on institutional, structural, and political factors affecting the availability and quality of this service. Recent events, such as the discontinuation of the Professional Improvement Course, a funding source that supports the training of health professionals, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, have had a significant negative impact on the quality of care available to cancer patients. Objectives This experience report aims to describe the establishment of the Psycho-oncology Service within the Clinical Oncology Service of the General Hospital of our University and present the psychosocial impact generated by the termination of Professional Improvement Course and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of cancer patients. Material and Methods: In order to obtain the required data for this report, interviews were held with the heads of the medical and psychological teams of the Clinical Oncology Service. The Hospital Informatics Service provided data on the number of consultations held in the Clinical Oncology Service. A t-test was performed to analyze any differences in consultation numbers. Results: The Psycho-oncology Service was created in 2007, 21 years after the beginning of the Clinical Oncology Service. From 2007 to 2021, there were 22,235 psychology consultations, attending over 8,900 patients. The termination of the Professional Improvement Course funding led to a decrease of 41.9% in the number of consultations per month in our service. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a decrease of about 87.0% in the number of consultations per month in our service. Conclusion: The Professional Improvement Course closing and the COVID-19 pandemic have significantly affected the care for cancer patients and their families and caregivers treated at the aforementioned service.
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spelling doaj-art-03e347d3ce1a43bb956f1f2de3d60fd32025-08-20T03:16:47ZengThieme Revinter Publicações Ltda.Brazilian Journal of Oncology2526-87322023-08-011910.5935/2526-8732.20230411Implementation of a Psycho-oncology Service in a public hospital of Southeast Brazil: between politics and the COVID-19 pandemicDaniel Paixão Pequeno0Karla Cristina Gaspar1Carmen Silvia Passos Lima2Gustavo Jacob Lourenço3University of Campinas, Laboratory of Cancer Genetics - School of Medical Sciences - Campinas - São Paulo - BrazilUniversity of Campinas, Clinical Oncology Service - Department of Anesthesiology, Oncology and Radiology - School of Medical Sciences - Campinas - São Paulo - BrazilUniversity of Campinas, Laboratory of Cancer Genetics - School of Medical Sciences - Campinas - São Paulo - BrazilUniversity of Campinas, Laboratory of Cancer Genetics - School of Medical Sciences - Campinas - São Paulo - BrazilIntroduction: The implementation of a Psycho-oncology Service depends on institutional, structural, and political factors affecting the availability and quality of this service. Recent events, such as the discontinuation of the Professional Improvement Course, a funding source that supports the training of health professionals, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, have had a significant negative impact on the quality of care available to cancer patients. Objectives This experience report aims to describe the establishment of the Psycho-oncology Service within the Clinical Oncology Service of the General Hospital of our University and present the psychosocial impact generated by the termination of Professional Improvement Course and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of cancer patients. Material and Methods: In order to obtain the required data for this report, interviews were held with the heads of the medical and psychological teams of the Clinical Oncology Service. The Hospital Informatics Service provided data on the number of consultations held in the Clinical Oncology Service. A t-test was performed to analyze any differences in consultation numbers. Results: The Psycho-oncology Service was created in 2007, 21 years after the beginning of the Clinical Oncology Service. From 2007 to 2021, there were 22,235 psychology consultations, attending over 8,900 patients. The termination of the Professional Improvement Course funding led to a decrease of 41.9% in the number of consultations per month in our service. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a decrease of about 87.0% in the number of consultations per month in our service. Conclusion: The Professional Improvement Course closing and the COVID-19 pandemic have significantly affected the care for cancer patients and their families and caregivers treated at the aforementioned service.https://www.brazilianjournalofoncology.com.br/details/246/en-US/implementation-of-a-psycho-oncology-service-in-a-public-hospital-of-southeast-brazil--between-politics-and-the-covid-19-pandemichospital oncology servicepsycho-oncologycovid-19.
spellingShingle Daniel Paixão Pequeno
Karla Cristina Gaspar
Carmen Silvia Passos Lima
Gustavo Jacob Lourenço
Implementation of a Psycho-oncology Service in a public hospital of Southeast Brazil: between politics and the COVID-19 pandemic
Brazilian Journal of Oncology
hospital oncology service
psycho-oncology
covid-19.
title Implementation of a Psycho-oncology Service in a public hospital of Southeast Brazil: between politics and the COVID-19 pandemic
title_full Implementation of a Psycho-oncology Service in a public hospital of Southeast Brazil: between politics and the COVID-19 pandemic
title_fullStr Implementation of a Psycho-oncology Service in a public hospital of Southeast Brazil: between politics and the COVID-19 pandemic
title_full_unstemmed Implementation of a Psycho-oncology Service in a public hospital of Southeast Brazil: between politics and the COVID-19 pandemic
title_short Implementation of a Psycho-oncology Service in a public hospital of Southeast Brazil: between politics and the COVID-19 pandemic
title_sort implementation of a psycho oncology service in a public hospital of southeast brazil between politics and the covid 19 pandemic
topic hospital oncology service
psycho-oncology
covid-19.
url https://www.brazilianjournalofoncology.com.br/details/246/en-US/implementation-of-a-psycho-oncology-service-in-a-public-hospital-of-southeast-brazil--between-politics-and-the-covid-19-pandemic
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