In December 2019, the novel human pathogenic virus SARS-CoV2 from the coronavirus family was identified, causing a respiratory disease known as COVID19 (coronavirus disease 2019). COVID19 manifests itself primarily with influenza-like symptoms, but in special cases it can lead to severe conditions such as ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome). Compared to other pulmotropic viruses such as the influenza virus, SARS-CoV-2 is associated with a higher contagiousness and mortality.~Haematological and oncological patients are particularly vulnerable due to their advanced age, immunological restrictions in the context of the underlying disease and the treatment modalities (chemotherapy, radiation therapy, ...).~To evaluate the effects of the COVID19 pandemic on the perception of patients with malignant diseases, we aim to record so-called patient-reported outcomes (PROs) from patients at the University Hospital of Innsbruck at the Department of Internal Medicine V (Hematology and Oncology) and at the Department for Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology. We use the validated EORT QLQ-C30 and a specially developed questionnaire for COVID19.
Cancer patients are among the most vulnerable individuals, whose health-related quality of life (HRQOL) may be substantially impacted by the COVID19 pandemic. We want to study how the COVID-19 pandemic influences the life of cancer patients and how these patients cope with the additional distress with the aim to facilitate the development of improved future interventional strategies to maintain resilience and HRQOL