Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39237790›Full record

ArticleSchmerz (Berlin, Germany)2026

[Influence of health care crises on the treatment of cancer pain: a presentation using the example of the COVID-19 pandemic from the provider's perspective].

Frederik Dombrowski, Stefan Wirz, Hannes Hofbauer, Pascal Kowark, Joachim Erlenwein, Ulrike Stamer, Kristin Kieselbach

Abstract readEnglish Abstract
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In one paragraph

Article in Schmerz (Berlin, Germany), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Frederik DombrowskiZentrum für Orthopädie, Unfallchirurgie und Sportmedizin, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Bonn, Bonner Talweg 4-6, 53113, Bonn, Deutschland.
Stefan WirzCura Krankenhaus - eine Betriebsstätte der GFO Kliniken Bonn, Abteilung für Anästhesie, Intensivmedizin, Schmerzmedizin/Palliativmedizin - Zentrum für Schmerzmedizin, Weaningzentrum, Schülgenstr. 15, 53604, Bad Honnef, Deutschland. stefan.wirz@gfo-kliniken-bonn.de.
Hannes HofbauerUniversitätsklinikum Ulm, Sektion Schmerztherapie, Klinik für Anästhesiologie und Intensivmedizin, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081, Ulm, Deutschland.
Pascal KowarkUniversitätskliniken Bonn, Klinik für Anästhesiologie und Operative Intensivmedizin, Sektionsleitung Schmerzmedizin, Chirurgisches Zentrum (OPZ), Gebäude 22, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Deutschland.
Joachim ErlenweinKlinik für Anästhesiologie, Schmerzambulanz und Tagesklinik, Leitung Schmerzdienst, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37085, Göttingen, Deutschland.
Ulrike StamerKlinik für Anästhesiologie und Schmerzmedizin, Inselspital, Universität Bern, Freiburgstraße, 3010, Bern, Schweiz.
Kristin KieselbachUniversitätsklinikum Freiburg, Interdisziplinäres Schmerzzentrum, Breisacher Str. 117, 79106, Freiburg, Deutschland.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic led to significantly restricted access to pain medicine services. Patients with cancer-related pain are considered a vulnerable group in terms of care deficits. A questionnaire among providers providing treatment to this group was used to assess limitations and solutions in this critical situation. MATERIALS AND

methodsThe online survey, developed by the 'Tumour Pain Working Group' of the German Pain Society using the Delphi method, included questions on site structure, pandemic-related care problems, and burdens experienced by those treating patients. It was distributed several times via the mailing lists of the German Pain Society and the 'Palliative Medicine Working Group' of the German Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine.

resultsIn all, 175 fully completed questionnaires were analysed. Over 75% of participants reported pandemic-related staff shortages and closures of pain medicine facilities, with 32% of facilities temporarily not treating elective pain patients and 13% not treating any emergencies. Care was hampered by numerous logistical problems such as very frequent pandemic-related cancellations by patients or in the transmission of prescriptions. Alternative forms of consultation by telephone or telemedicine, rarely used before the pandemic, were reported by 79 and 31% of respondents respectively, but deficiencies were noted. In addition, 52.1% of respondents complained of severe and 26.8% of moderate psychological stress due to the pandemic, and 74.1% evaluated working conditions as moderately to severely difficult. Medical training was still possible for 86% through format changes.

conclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic revealed numerous deficits in the care of patients with cancer-related pain, as well as burdens on healthcare providers. The development of new concepts could help to ensure better care in future crisis situations.

Indexed as

Attitude of Health PersonnelCancer PainCOVID-19Health Services AccessibilityPain ManagementPandemicsDelphi TechniqueGermanyHumansPalliative CareSurveys and QuestionnairesTelemedicineHealth care researchLockdownMental healthPain managementPsychological distressPsychosocial working conditions

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.