Let us ask the patient: psychological well-being from a patients'-perspective due to postponed care of cardiac surgery during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Abstract

Introduction: The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has forced a rapid and extensive change in the need of intensive care beds. Therefore, we decided early in the pandemic to suspend all elective cases of cardiac surgery and closed the ambulatory clinic. The effect of this strategy on the mental well-being of the non-COVID-19 patients is unknown. The aim of this study is to assess whether planned or operated patients suffered from either anxiety or depression by their altered medical care trajectory and if their score influenced decision-making. The findings intend to anticipate individual needs during subsequent waves of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: The patient population consisted of two groups. The first group included planned patients whose operation date was delayed; in the second group, the postoperative control visit was postponed. Both groups received a twofold questionnaire. Part one was the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale, part two a series of questions on the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on cardiac surgical care from a patient's perspective.

Results: The study population was composed of 46 patients (63% men). Most of them (82.6%) would like the surgery to be performed as fast as possible, even before the end of the first wave of COVID-19-related hospitalizations. Of all patients 30.4% have avoided to consult a physician because of fear and 34.8% consulted a physician by phone call. When they physically consulted a physician, there was a prominent role for the general practitioner (41.3% went to the GP vs 19.6% to the specialist). Most (58.7%) of the patients would have liked a (tele)consultation with the cardiac surgeon.

Conclusions: Regardless of the HADS, one can state that a closer follow-up using telemedicine during the pandemic is expected by all patients. All patients prefer their surgery to take place even during a pandemic.