Table 2.

Key Findings and Recommendations for Institutions and COVID-19-Related Research Priorities for the Neuro-oncology Community

Key Findings
Clinical trial enrollment was impacted by the pandemic.
In some cases, telemedicine billing support for practitioners was inadequate.
Some practitioners felt pressure to do in-person visits.
Elective surgical practice changed.
Perception of increased anxiety in patients.
Respondents expressed concerns about their emotional well-being, safety for self and family, and financial impact from the pandemic.
Positive aspects of pandemic-based changes:
Technologies applied to patient care
Virtual meetings among colleagues
Perceived increase in patient satisfaction due to decreased time and money traveling to appointments
Major Recommendations
Institutions:
Modify and prioritize clinical trial infrastructure to ensure access for all patients.
Provide support for billing education for telephone and video visits.
Remove pressures on providers to see patients in-person when not clinically necessary.
Consider support for those with children and elder care responsibilities.
Provide means of psychological support to staff.
Areas of further research:
Effects of modified treatment schedules, in-person visit reductions, and surgical delays on patient outcomes.
COVID-19 risk factors and outcomes in neuro-oncology patient population as a function of treatment; laboratory studies in disease models.
Impact of financial changes on productivity and provider wellness.
Impact of financial changes on the conduct of basic science and clinical research.
Burdens as a function of provider and researcher gender and other demographics.