It could take up to six years to clear the severe patient backlog caused by COVID-19, according to burnt-out healthcare professionals across Europe

• The research reveals an estimated minimum of three years will be required to clear the current patient backlog across Europe, with 1 in 5 respondents predicting between 4-6 years
• In the survey, 98% of oncologists and surgeons indicated their mental health and wellbeing was negatively affected during the pandemic
• The majority of respondents (59%) feel very concerned or powerless about the current backlog of patients caused by the pandemic
• 97% of oncologists and surgeons believe that technology can play a vital role to reduce the number of patients waiting to see a physician

April 2022, Weybridge, UK – Research commissioned by Sony Professional Solutions Europe, in conjunction with Censuswide, found that oncologists and surgeons across Europe estimate it will take at least three years to clear the backlog of patients with current protocols, with 1 in 5 believing it could be even longer, between 4–6 years. Over a third of surgeons and oncologists feel they have experienced burnout as a result of the pandemic, and a staggering 98% indicated their mental health and wellbeing was negatively affected.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, healthcare systems focused on tackling it. As the pandemic progresses, and healthcare systems look to deal with the further-reaching consequences, such as delayed surgeries and cancer patient treatments,^1-4 Sony was interested to understand the current opinions and feelings of working surgeons and oncologists on the current backlog of patients due to the pandemic, how it could be addressed, and the ways in which technology could help. The research surveyed 300 oncologists and 300 surgeons across the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and Poland.

Dr. Mahasti Saghatchian VP of Medical Board – American Hospital of Paris said, “Healthcare professionals have had to respond innovatively throughout the pandemic, but real, practical measures need to be taken now to address the patient backlog. By embracing advanced technology platforms, optimising clinical workflows, enhancing data and content sharing in accuracy and speed, and ensuring IT infrastructures are up to date, we can effectively and efficiently address the severe outpatient waiting lists. For oncologists and surgeons alike, timely management is a matter of survival for our patients.”

Almost all surveyed oncologists and surgeons (97%) feel technology can play a vital role in clearing the current patient backlog caused by the pandemic. More than three-quarters (77%) believed technology could be most helpfully used through increased accuracy and speed of imaging workflow and content management, with many oncologists and surgeons highlighting the benefits of telemedicine and the use of artificial intelligence technology to also support reducing the current patient backlog.

In recent years, consumer technology has quickly advanced, with many consumers using wearable health devices such as ESG monitors and smart watches, yet critical healthcare infrastructure technology is not being implemented at the same speed. These findings suggest that hospitals and healthcare institutions may need to make further investment in technological upgrades and innovations, which oncologists and surgeons indicate an openness and ability to adopt, to better equip front-line health workers with the tools they need. Hospitals and healthcare institutions across the world have an opportunity to reduce the current backlog of patients faster than currently estimated, by implementing the latest effective technology.

“COVID-19 has been a game-changer for the healthcare industry, with a need to adapt and innovate in a short period of time. At Sony, we are consistently innovating; designing and developing clinical solutions and platforms that can help healthcare organisations identify incremental productivity and efficiency gains to deliver continual healthcare; with a core focus on supporting our frontline workers.” – Ludger Philippsen, Head of Healthcare Solutions Europe, Sony

Sony provides imaging workflow technology and smart communication allowing for remote consultation and training, remote patient and operating room monitoring, and streamlining workflows.

To read the full whitepaper, on the impact of COVID-19 on the healthcare industry, please visit: https://pro.sony/healthcare/digital-transformation-insights/covid-research-paper

To find out more about Sony’s solutions for healthcare please visit https://pro.sony/en_GB/healthcare.

*Sony Healthcare Research was conducted with 300 surgeons and 300 oncologists during the period 13 – 29 December 2021, in the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and Poland across (50 of each per country).

References

¹ European Parliament. Public consultation Synopsis Report – The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer prevention, health services, cancer patients and research: lessons from a public health crisis. Available at: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/cmsdata/233010/Synopsis%20report%20BECA%20COVID-19%20Consultation%201228560EN.pdf. Accessed Jan 2022.

² Nepogodiev, D. and Bhangu, A. Elective surgery cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic: global predictive modelling to inform surgical recovery plans. British Journal of Surgery, 2020. 107:11.

³ Carr A, Smith J A, Camaradou J, Prieto-Alhambra D. Growing backlog of planned surgery due to covid-19 BMJ 2021; 372 :n339

⁴ Johnson BA, Waddimba AC, Ogola GO, Fleshman JW Jr, Preskitt JT. A systematic review and meta-analysis of surgery delays and survival in breast, lung and colon cancers: Implication for surgical triage during the COVID-19 pandemic. Am J Surg. 2021;222(2):311-318.

Survey details:

The survey commissioned by Sony Professional Solutions Europe was conducted by Censuswide between the dates of 13 – 29 December 2021. The survey was completed by 300 oncologists and 300 surgeons across France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Poland, and the United Kingdom (50 of each per country).

About Sony Healthcare

Sony is a leading supplier of medical products in the OR. Our imaging devices include camera technology, surgical monitors, recorders and printers and are found in most hospitals across Europe. Our smart IP based Imaging Platform NUCLeUS offers hospitals a complete digital Integrated Operating Room system. NUCLeUS can transform a hospital’s imaging workflow supporting clinical teams at all stages of planning, performing, recording, editing, and distributing video of surgical procedures. Operating with over 40 years’ experience and a trusted network of established technology partners, the wide Sony portfolio of knowledge, products and services propositions provides true value to businesses and informs, educates and inspires their customers.

For more information, visit: https://pro.sony/en_GB/products/medical

About Sony Europe B.V.

Sony Europe B.V. is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation and is headquartered in UK. We drive Sony’s leading Electronics Products & Solutions business for consumer and professional markets, as well as Imaging & Sensing Solutions business across Europe. From R&D and engineering, design, to sales, marketing, distribution and customer service, we work to deliver Sony’s purpose to fill the world with emotion through the power of creativity and technology.

For more information, please visit: https://www.sony.eu/presscentre

For further information

Please contact Sony Professional Solutions Europe press office on: press.europe@sony.com