The psychological burden of waiting for procedures and patient-centred strategies that could support the mental health of wait-listed patients and caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Waiting for procedures delayed by COVID-19 may cause anxiety and related adverse consequences.

Objective

To synthesize research on the mental health impact of waiting and patient-centred mitigation strategies that could be applied in the COVID-19 context.

Methods

Using a scoping review approach, we searched 9 databases for studies on waiting lists and mental health and reported study characteristics, impacts and intervention attributes and outcomes.

Results

We included 51 studies that focussed on organ transplant (60.8%), surgery (21.6%) or cancer management (13.7%). Most patients and caregivers reported anxiety, depression and poor quality of life, which deteriorated with increasing wait time. The impact of waiting on mental health was greater among

SUBMITTER: Gagliardi AR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8235883 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature