The Impact of Educational Level on Oncology Outpatient Admissions During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Buğra Öztosun1, Mahmut Gümüş21Department of Medical Oncology, Mersin City Training and Research Hospital, Mersin, Türkiye, 2Department of Medical Oncology, İstanbul Medeniyet University, İstanbul, Türkiye
Objectives: The corona virus disease pandemic disrupted routine cancer care and may have affected oncology outpatient admissions according to educational level. This study evaluated changes in admissions, cancer types, metastatic presentation, and educational distribution before and during the pandemic. Methods: This retrospective, single-center study included 2,649 patients admitted to a medical oncology outpatient clinic between March 11, 2019, and March 11, 2021. Patients were grouped into pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. Demographic data, cancer diagnosis, educational status, and metastatic status at admission were compared using appropriate statistical tests and logistic regression. Results: Admissions decreased by 20% during the pandemic. The proportion of university graduates increased from 14.5% to 21.1% (p=0.005). Higher education was associated with pandemic-period admission (OR=1.89; 95% CI: 1.50– 2.37; p<0.001). Metastatic presentation increased from 39.2% to 43.8% (p=0.019) and remained independently associated with the pandemic period (OR=1.21; 95% CI: 1.01–1.46; p=0.038). Conclusion: During the pandemic, admissions decreased, higher-educated patients were more represented, and metastatic presentation increased. Keywords: Covid-19 Pandemic, Educational Status, Oncology Outpatient Admissions
Cite This Article
Öztosun B, Gümüş M. The Impact of Educational Level on Oncology Outpatient Admissions During the Covid-19 Pandemic. EJMI. 2026; 10(2): 124-130
Corresponding Author: Buğra Öztosun