biostudies-literatureUnknown24(3)Gagliardi ARCanadian Institutes of Health ResearchCIHR<h4>Background</h4>Waiting for procedures delayed by COVID-19 may cause anxiety and related adverse consequences.<h4>Objective</h4>To synthesize research on the mental health impact of waiting and patient-centred mitigation strategies that could be applied in the COVID-19 context.<h4>Methods</h4>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.<h4>Results</h4>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 amongHealth expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy978-990https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8235883biostudies-literatureThe 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.PMC8235883Stewart DEYip CYYIrish JGreen RMcAndrews MPGagliardi ARRubin BRoss HAbbey SWright FCfalseThe 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.<h4>Background</h4>Waiting for procedures delayed by COVID-19 may cause anxiety and related adverse consequences.<h4>Objective</h4>To synthesize research on the mental health impact of waiting and patient-centred mitigation strategies that could be applied in the COVID-19 context.<h4>Methods</h4>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.<h4>Results</h4>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 among2021-01-01T00:00:00Z2021 Jun2025-04-18T21:06:32.527Z2022-02-10T17:56:35.598ZS-EPMC82358833376965710.1111/hex.13241