The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on outpatient visits for patients with cancer in Iran: an interrupted time series analysis
Abstract Background The Covid-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems worldwide, affecting routine medical services, including for cancer patients. This study investigates the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on outpatient visits for patients with cancer in Iran. Methods...
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| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Archives of Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-024-01482-3 |
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| author | Siavash Beiranvand Meysam Behzadifar Aidin Aryankhesal Seyed Jafar Ehsanzadeh Banafshe Darvishi Teli Masoud Behzadifar |
| author_facet | Siavash Beiranvand Meysam Behzadifar Aidin Aryankhesal Seyed Jafar Ehsanzadeh Banafshe Darvishi Teli Masoud Behzadifar |
| author_sort | Siavash Beiranvand |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The Covid-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems worldwide, affecting routine medical services, including for cancer patients. This study investigates the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on outpatient visits for patients with cancer in Iran. Methods We conducted an interrupted time series analysis (ITSA) on data collected from electronic medical records. The ITSA methodology was employed to analyze monthly outpatient visits for patients with cancer data from March 2017 to January 2023 in Lorestan University of Medical Sciences. Results Following the announcement of Covid-19 in Iran, outpatient visits for patients with cancer decreased immediately and sharply, with a mean of 247.08 visits per month, which has a 95% confidence interval of [-297; -197]. Subsequent waves in June 2020, September 2020, April 2021, July 2021, and January 2022 further affected outpatient visits. However, the initiation of Covid-19 vaccination, particularly for cancer patients, marked a positive turning point, leading to an increase of 156.39 outpatient visits between January and February 2022. Conclusion Our study provides critical insights into the dynamic relationship between the Covid-19 pandemic, patient behavior, and cancer care utilization. The observed decrease in outpatient visits underscores the multifaceted challenges faced by cancer patients during the pandemic, while the positive influence of vaccination signals a pathway towards recovery. The importance of vaccination is highlighted as a key factor in improving outpatient visit rates. As healthcare systems adapt to ongoing challenges, understanding the complex interplay between public health crises and patient behavior is crucial for shaping resilient and patient-centric healthcare systems. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c75b06ea910243d099e3843b1512e4da |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2049-3258 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Archives of Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-c75b06ea910243d099e3843b1512e4da2025-01-12T12:09:04ZengBMCArchives of Public Health2049-32582025-01-018311910.1186/s13690-024-01482-3The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on outpatient visits for patients with cancer in Iran: an interrupted time series analysisSiavash Beiranvand0Meysam Behzadifar1Aidin Aryankhesal2Seyed Jafar Ehsanzadeh3Banafshe Darvishi Teli4Masoud Behzadifar5Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical SciencesSocial Determinants of Health Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical SciencesSchool of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of East AngliaEnglish Language Department, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Health Economics, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background The Covid-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems worldwide, affecting routine medical services, including for cancer patients. This study investigates the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on outpatient visits for patients with cancer in Iran. Methods We conducted an interrupted time series analysis (ITSA) on data collected from electronic medical records. The ITSA methodology was employed to analyze monthly outpatient visits for patients with cancer data from March 2017 to January 2023 in Lorestan University of Medical Sciences. Results Following the announcement of Covid-19 in Iran, outpatient visits for patients with cancer decreased immediately and sharply, with a mean of 247.08 visits per month, which has a 95% confidence interval of [-297; -197]. Subsequent waves in June 2020, September 2020, April 2021, July 2021, and January 2022 further affected outpatient visits. However, the initiation of Covid-19 vaccination, particularly for cancer patients, marked a positive turning point, leading to an increase of 156.39 outpatient visits between January and February 2022. Conclusion Our study provides critical insights into the dynamic relationship between the Covid-19 pandemic, patient behavior, and cancer care utilization. The observed decrease in outpatient visits underscores the multifaceted challenges faced by cancer patients during the pandemic, while the positive influence of vaccination signals a pathway towards recovery. The importance of vaccination is highlighted as a key factor in improving outpatient visit rates. As healthcare systems adapt to ongoing challenges, understanding the complex interplay between public health crises and patient behavior is crucial for shaping resilient and patient-centric healthcare systems.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-024-01482-3Covid-19Cancer patientsHealth policyHealth services accessibilityInterrupted time series analysisIran |
| spellingShingle | Siavash Beiranvand Meysam Behzadifar Aidin Aryankhesal Seyed Jafar Ehsanzadeh Banafshe Darvishi Teli Masoud Behzadifar The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on outpatient visits for patients with cancer in Iran: an interrupted time series analysis Archives of Public Health Covid-19 Cancer patients Health policy Health services accessibility Interrupted time series analysis Iran |
| title | The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on outpatient visits for patients with cancer in Iran: an interrupted time series analysis |
| title_full | The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on outpatient visits for patients with cancer in Iran: an interrupted time series analysis |
| title_fullStr | The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on outpatient visits for patients with cancer in Iran: an interrupted time series analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on outpatient visits for patients with cancer in Iran: an interrupted time series analysis |
| title_short | The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on outpatient visits for patients with cancer in Iran: an interrupted time series analysis |
| title_sort | impact of the covid 19 pandemic on outpatient visits for patients with cancer in iran an interrupted time series analysis |
| topic | Covid-19 Cancer patients Health policy Health services accessibility Interrupted time series analysis Iran |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-024-01482-3 |
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