'I'm being forced to make decisions I have never had to make before': Oncologists and the conundrums created by COVID-19

ABSTRACT

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has created conundrums for physicians. This study examines the experiences of oncologists who engage in complex decision-making regarding the use of chemotherapy in seriously ill persons in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Between January 2020 and August 2020, the authors conducted semistructured, in-depth individual interviews with 22 purposefully sampled oncologists from practices enrolled in the Michigan Oncology Quality Consortium. Transcripts were double-coded and reconciled by consensus using qualitative data analysis software for thematic analysis. Results: Among the thematic clusters we identified, one was related to conundrums created by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this presentation, we report the results pertaining to three themes within this cluster (1) the ethical dilemmas faced by oncologists due to the COVID-19 pandemic, (2) the need for both patients and oncologists to manage uncertainty and emotions, and (3) the importance and complexity of integrating technology and communication for seriously ill persons. Oncologists grappled with several conundrums including resource scarcity, resource allocation, delays in care, a duty to promote equity and non-abandonment, high levels of uncertainty and fear, and the importance of advanced care directives and end-of-life care planning. Nonabandonment featured as a coping mechanism for increased stress, and integration of communication with telemedicine was frequent and necessary. Conclusions: This study offers an indepth exploration of the conundrums faced by oncologists due to the COVID-19 pandemic and how they navigated them. Optimal decision-making for seriously ill persons with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic must include open acknowledgement of the ethical dilemmas faced, the heightened emotions experienced by both patients and their oncologists, and the urgent need for integrating technology with compassionate communication in determining patient preferences.