Attitudes and Perceptions of Multidisciplinary Cancer Care Clinicians Toward Telehealth and Secure Messages

Abstract

Key Points Question What are the perceptions and experiences of multidisciplinary cancer care clinicians (medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgical oncologists, oncology navigators, and cancer survivorship) with regard to telehealth visits and exchanging secure messages with patients during the COVID-19 pandemic? Findings In this survey study of 202 multidisciplinary cancer care clinicians, most were satisfied with telehealth and wished to maintain or increase future use. Despite being thought to promote a weaker patient-clinician connection, telehealth was considered appropriate by most to handle the greater part of patient assessment and care; however, some clinicians preferred in-person visits for certain activities. Meaning Results of this survey study suggest that telehealth is well accepted by various cancer care clinicians, and is likely to remain used to some extent for most aspects of cancer care in the future.

Future of Teleoncology: Trends and Disparities in Telehealth and Secure Message Utilization in the COVID-19 Era

“…16,18,19 Live interpreter support is available to all patients and providers using KPNC's telehealth services (both phone and video visits). Throughout the study period, no new oncology clinics or hospitals were opened, acquired, or closed by KPNC, the total number of oncology providers was stable around 128 20 and did not significantly change, and the number of adult KPNC members has changed by < 2% (internal unpublished data).…”

A Teleconsultation Device, Consult Station, for Remote Primary Care: Multisite Prospective Cohort Study

“…The Consult Station booth is the first telemedicine device enabling completely remote medical teleconsultation with concurrent collection of clinical parameters, as otherwise teleconsultations are often limited to telephone consultations [ 24 - 26 ]. With real-time measurement of several medical parameters, the use of diagnostic tools, and video consultations, Consult Station is a good option when face-to-face consultations are not possible [ 26 ]. The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to an acceleration of teleconsultation acceptance and to the restructuring of pre-existing telehealth care devices or pathways.…”

Lessons for Oncology From the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Most studies evaluating oncology providers’ opinions of virtual care focus on perceptions of virtual visits. Recent studies before and during the COVID-19 pandemic show that most oncologists have a favorable opinion of virtual visits 2,25,68,69 . An ASCO survey conducted in late 2020 found that 92% of providers would like to continue telehealth as part of their practice, and 64% of providers felt the quality of care with virtual visits was similar to in-person visits 70 .…”

“…Providers felt that virtual visits are more appropriate for certain types of visits such as survivorship and symptom management and less appropriate for postsurgery/radiation visits, initial visits, and goals-of-care conversations. 69 Virtual care has allowed oncology providers to increase remote collaboration with other providers. Secure email is an established communication tool for provider collaboration; however, these messages frequently occur outside health records and are not captured, causing data fragmentation.…”

“…Recent studies before and during the COVID-19 pandemic show that most oncologists have a favorable opinion of virtual visits. 2 , 25 , 68 , 69 An ASCO survey conducted in late 2020 found that 92% of providers would like to continue telehealth as part of their practice, and 64% of providers felt the quality of care with virtual visits was similar to in-person visits. 70 However, some providers did report challenges with internet connection and equipment issues.…”