STRATEGIES ADOPTED IN COPING WITH COVID-19 AIMED AT THE MENTAL HEALTH OF ONCOLOGY PROFESSIONALS: AN EXPERIENCE REPORT

Introduction: Brazil and the world have been facing great challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. So we are in a process of constant change and re-adaptation, in order to always offer the lowest risk for patients and professionals. Objective: To report the experience of coping with covid-19 mental health for oncology professionals in a network of private outpatient clinics for oncology and hematology treatments located in Rio de Janeiro during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Methods: This report deals with the strategies adopted to face COVID-19, through measures implemented in a time frame from March to June 2020, in order to preserve the health of onco-hematologic patients and professionals of these outpatient clinics. Such measures were motivated by the vulnerability and fragility of these patients and teams, who work in outpatient chemotherapy settings, especially those in risk groups, in the midst of the pandemic. Results: In order to reduce the stress related to the period experienced, the company developed partnerships with other companies, making available to the collaborators, free of charge and exclusively, online classes of labor gymnastics, relaxation, and activities between parents and children. It was encouraged that employees always seek information from reliable sources such as the WHO and the MH. Mutual support and good relationships among coworkers were motivated, providing a greater sense of belonging and protection, since with affectionate and welcoming words we can touch each other even without physically touching each other. An important aspect that deserves attention is the emotional aspect of the teams, which have been showing anxiety and fear about the possibility of exposure to the virus. Conclusion: Although the Pandemic has brought a great challenge with new discoveries and information, that we can always change, adapt, grow, evolve and provide more and more quality care for the Cancer patient and the professionals involved in this care. The continuous effort, the team work and the support of all the team involved have been showing that with Science and patience we can create new strategies to achieve success against this Pandemic and that we will come out stronger and more capable. It is of utmost importance that more and more studies on the subject are developed and disseminated for a better communion of strategies to face the pandemic.”