Extending Oncology Clinical Services to Rural Areas of Texas Via Teleoncology

Sharma, Jivesh; Gross, Glenn W.; Sharma, Poonam

doi:10.1200/jop.2011.000436

Cited by 26 publications

(17 citation statements)

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“…Several benefits of telemedicine have been noted for oncology patients including improved quality of life and a heightened sense of independence [ 5 , 6 ]. Additionally, several studies evaluating the efficacy of telemedicine in rural areas described convenience and cost-effectiveness as key patient-reported benefits [ 7 , 8 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Virtual visits among gynecologic oncology patients during the COVID-19 pandemic are accessible across the social vulnerability spectrum

McAlarnen

Tsaih

Aliani

et al. 2021

Gynecologic Oncology

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Objective The COVID-19 pandemic has quickly transformed healthcare systems with expansion of telemedicine. The past year has highlighted risks to immunosuppressed cancer patients and shown the need for health equity among vulnerable groups. In this study, we describe the utilization of virtual visits by patients with gynecologic malignancies and assess their social vulnerability. Methods Virtual visit data of 270 gynecology oncology patients at a single institution from March 1, 2020 to August 31, 2020 was obtained by querying a cohort discovery tool. Through geocoding, the CDC Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) was utilized to assign social vulnerability indices to each patient and the results were analyzed for trends and statistical significance. Results African American patients were the most vulnerable with a median SVI of 0.71, Asian 0.60, Hispanic 0.41, and Caucasian 0.21. Eighty-seven percent of patients in this study were Caucasian, 8.9% African American, 3.3% Hispanic, and 1.1% Asian, which is comparable to the baseline institutional gynecologic cancer population. The mean census tract SVI variable when comparing patients to all census tracts in the United States was 0.31 (range 0.00 least vulnerable to 0.98 most vulnerable). Conclusions Virtual visits were utilized by patients of all ages and gynecologic cancer types. African Americans were the most socially vulnerable patients of the cohort. Telemedicine is a useful platform for cancer care across the social vulnerability spectrum during the pandemic and beyond. To ensure continued access, further research and outreach efforts are needed.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Virtual visits among gynecologic oncology patients during the COVID-19 pandemic are accessible across the social vulnerability spectrum

McAlarnen

Tsaih

Aliani

et al. 2021

Gynecologic Oncology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Although the only studies that assess cancer patients' experiences with telemedicine are from programs that serve rural populations, these studies also paint an overwhelmingly positive reception of telemedicine. Several studies from programs in rural areas including Texas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Newfoundland and Labrador all reported high patient satisfaction from the majority of patients, as well as other benefits such as convenience and cost effectiveness [ 12 13 ]. It is likely that these individuals would have different experiences from those living in a metropolitan area during a global pandemic.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Patient Perception of Telehealth Services for Breast and Gynecologic Oncology Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Single Center Survey-based Study

et al. 2020

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Prior to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, telehealth was rarely utilized for oncologic care in metropolitan areas. Our large New York City based outpatient breast/gynecologic cancer clinic administered an 18-question survey to patients from March to June 2020, to assess the perceptions of the utility of telehealth medicine. Of the 622 patients, 215 (35%) completed the survey, and of the 215 respondents, 74 (35%) had participated in a telehealth visit. We evaluated the use of telehealth services using the validated Service User Technology Acceptability Questionnaire. Sixty-eight patients (92%) reported that telehealth services saved them time, 54 (73%) reported telehealth increased access to care, and 58 (82%) reported telehealth improved their health. Overall, 67 (92%) of patients expressed satisfaction with the use of telehealth services for oncologic care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Telehealth services should be carefully adopted as an addition to in-person clinical care of patients with cancer.

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“…Telemedicine access for follow-up visits was preferred in both clean and one of pandemic hospitals. It was a chance for the patients especially for those who reside in other cities and rural regions to escape from additional COVID-19 exposure risk during travel to the hospitals for follow-up visits [ 11 , 12 ]. Relapse rate is higher in the first 2 or 3 years for most cancer types and the patients who covered the first 2 or 3 years of their disease without any relapse seem to be good candidates for telemedicine in daily routine [ 13 , 14 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Swords and Shields” against COVID-19 for patients with cancer at “clean” and “pandemic” hospitals: are we ready for the second wave?

Karaçin

Acar

Bal

et al. 2021

Support Care Cancer

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Purpose COVID-19 will continue to disrupt the diagnosis-treatment process of cancer patients. Dr. Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Ankara Oncology Hospital has been considered as a 'non-pandemic' center ('clean') in Ankara, the capital city of Turkey. The other state hospitals that also take care of cancer patients in Ankara were defined as 'pandemic' centers. This study aimed to evaluate hospital admission changes and the precautionary measures in clean and pandemic centers during the pandemic. The effect of these measures and changes on COVID-19 spreading among cancer patients was also evaluated. Methods The patients admitted to the medical oncology follow-up, new diagnosis, or chemotherapy (CT) outpatient clinics during the first quarter of pandemic period (March 15-June 1, 2020) of each center were determined and compared with the admissions of the same frame of previous year (March 15-June 1, 2019). COVID-19 PCR test results in clean and pandemic centers were compared with each other. Telemedicine was preffered in the clean hospital to keep on follow-up of the cancer patients as 'noninfected'. Results In the clean hospital, COVID-19-infected patients that needed to be hospitalized were referred to pandemic hospitals. COVID-19 test positivity rate was eight-fold higher for outpatient clinic admissions in pandemic hospitals (p < 0.001). The number of patients admitted new diagnosis outpatient clinics in both clean and pandemic hospitals decreased significantly during the pandemic compared with the previous year. Conclusion We consider that local strategic modifications and defining 'clean' hospital model during infectious pandemic may contribute to protect and treat cancer patients during pandemic.

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Extending Oncology Clinical Services to Rural Areas of Texas Via Teleoncology

Abstract: Both patients and physicians are highly satisfied with the quality of teleoncology examinations and express openness to this method of delivering care.

Cited by 26 publications

References 0 publications

Virtual visits among gynecologic oncology patients during the COVID-19 pandemic are accessible across the social vulnerability spectrum

Virtual visits among gynecologic oncology patients during the COVID-19 pandemic are accessible across the social vulnerability spectrum

Patient Perception of Telehealth Services for Breast and Gynecologic Oncology Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Single Center Survey-based Study

“Swords and Shields” against COVID-19 for patients with cancer at “clean” and “pandemic” hospitals: are we ready for the second wave?

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