Fewer Operations for Cancer in Germany During the First Wave of COVID-19 in 2020
Johannes Diers, Laura Acar, Philip Baum, Sven Flemming, Carolin Kastner, Christoph‐Thomas Germer, Helmut L’Hoest, Ursula Marschall, Johan Friso Lock, Armin Wiegering
Abstract
Since early 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic has affected all areas of healthcare services (1).Especially people with tumor disease can experience secondary effects as a result of reduced screening examinations, diagnostic delays, and reduced operative capacity.In this study we analyzed billing data from the BARMER Ersatzkasse (one of Germany's leading providers of statutory health insurance) as regards tumor surgery from April to October 2020 in comparison with the preceding year. MethodsWe analyzed data from 9 million insurance scheme members from January
Topics & Concepts
MedicineCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)2019-20 coronavirus outbreakSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)BetacoronavirusCoronavirus InfectionsMEDLINEVirologyInternal medicineLawOutbreakPolitical scienceInfectious disease (medical specialty)DiseaseCOVID-19 and healthcare impactsAdvances in Oncology and RadiotherapyEconomic and Financial Impacts of Cancer