CancerCOVID - Resource allocation for cancer medicine in the context of Sars-CoV-2 - Subproject Empirical-ethical analyses.

The outbreak of Sars-CoV-2 triggered unprecedented preparations for the care of patients with COVID-19 (1). In addition, access to hospitals and outpatient clinics was restricted due to specific hygiene regulations. Allocation of health resources in times of pandemic has potential clinical and ethically relevant implications for non-COVID-19 patients (2, 3). However, a systematic assessment of evidence and interdisciplinary analyses regarding ethical and social aspects related to care for non-COVID-19 patients during the pandemic is missing. The interdisciplinary CancerCOVID consortium will analyse possible implications of the outbreak of Sars-CoV-2 for the access, process and outcomes of care, with a focus on patients with cancer in Germany. For this purpose we will analyse quantitative data derived from the registry of colon cancer centres and data from the statutory health insurance on the care of patients with cancer, diabetes and coronary heart disease. In addition we will explore the ethical and psycho-social challenges perceived by patients and health professionals during the pandemic by means of semi-structured interviews. Based on the findings and together with major decision makers in the German healthcare system we will develop guidance for clinical and health policy decisions about priority settings regarding cancer care in times of pandemics and comparable major events.