Ethical Considerations for Treating Cancer Patients During the SARS-CoV-2 Virus Crisis: To Treat or Not to Treat? A Literature Review and Perspective From a Cancer Center in Low-Middle Income Country

October 7, 2020

Al-Tabba', A., Al-Hussaini, M., Mansour, R., Sultan, H., Abdel-Razeq, H., & Mansour, A.

Frontiers in medicine

Prioritization of oncological patients with a non-oncological specific classification method might put the ones with better chances of positive outcomes at the bottom of the lists. This article discussed how the practice of ethical resource allocation might not necessarily fit existing strategies created for the resource scarcity we are facing during this pandemic. The guidelines stated by The American Medical Association (AMA) Code of Medical Ethics are not specific enough for specialties like oncology yet, seems to be the most compatible with the personalized care those patients receive, particularly because survival rates can be quite variable from case to case. In Jordan, at the King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC), they developed several tactics to face the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic like a drive-thru screening system or allowing clinical judgment DNRs decision making if the need for ICU beds became too great. That official adaptation of the DNR policy has not needed to be put into action already, but it rightfully supports the institution's trust in its clinicians' judgment, protecting them both morally and legally if a 'tie-breaking' moment arises. Along with this, efforts to not leave stable cancer patients forgotten through telemedicine or medication home delivery are great examples of the transformations that can be done to keep caring for highly vulnerable patients.

Al-Tabba' A, Al-Hussaini M, Mansour R, Sultan H, Abdel-Razeq H, Mansour A. Ethical Considerations for Treating Cancer Patients During the SARS-CoV-2 Virus Crisis: To Treat or Not to Treat? A Literature Review and Perspective From a Cancer Center in Low-Middle Income Country. Front Med (Lausanne). 2020;7:561168. Published 2020 Oct 7. doi:10.3389/fmed.2020.561168

Partners