TABLE 5.
New approaches and directions for pediatric oncology following COVID‐19
| Previous approach | New approach/direction | |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical | ||
| Clinic visits | In‐person visits | Telehealth visits for nonurgent follow ups |
| Workforce | In‐person work week | Work from home, staggered work schedule |
| Research | ||
| Site monitoring | In‐person sponsor visits | Video‐link sponsor visits |
| Prioritization of new diagnostics and therapeutics | Conventional Food and Drug Administration (FDA) review | Fast‐track FDA review |
| Database | Separate data collection and storage | Database sharing |
| Protocol accommodations | Administration of drug in hospital setting | Shipping investigational agent to patient's home |
| Government agencies | Visit to FDA and European Medicines Agency (EMA) | Work from home makes more flexible schedules, easier access |
| Other | ||
| Rechanneling efforts | Investigators physically met at institution or national/international meetings to share data | Video conferencing facilitates data sharing and idea generation as well as environmental impact (reduction in carbon footprint and pollution resulting from loss of industrial activity and reduced travel) |
| Collaborations | Competition among research groups | Aligning resources and talents across borders and institutions |
| Accessing and leveraging nonpediatric oncology disease research to interrogate potential oncolytic efficacy |