Telemedicine and Cancer Care in Low- and Middle-Income Countries During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic

Yadav, Kavita; Ginsburg, Ophira; Basu, Partha; Mehrotra, Ravi

doi:10.1200/go.21.00249

Cited by 13 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…The second theme showed that digital health technologies, particularly telemedicine, offer significant opportunities for improving cancer care delivery in MICs, highlighting the need to identify the best strategies for implementing telemedicine and e-health portals in cancer care to improve access to care resources and patient outcomes 54 , 55 .Telemedicine's ability to task sharing between oncology experts and general care physicians can enhance patient outcomes by delivering comprehensive cancer care, particularly in cancer survivors’ follow-up 54 , 55 .Virtually aggregating qualified cancer providers for supportive care can address the shortage of specialised oncology providers, especially in areas with limited services. Patients can use low-cost electronic services such as psychosocial support, medication counselling and nutritional help, enhancing access to alternative care providers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Leveraging e-health for enhanced cancer care service models in middle-income contexts: Qualitative insights from oncology care providers

Melhem,

Nabhani-Gebara,

Kayyali

2024

DIGITAL HEALTH

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Background Global cancer research has predominantly favoured high-income countries (HICs). The unique challenges in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) demand tailored research approaches, accentuated further by the disparities highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aim and objectives This research endeavoured to dissect the intricacies of cancer care in LMICs, with Jordan serving as a case study. Specifically, the study aimed to conduct an in-depth analysis of the prevailing cancer care model and assess the transformative potential of eHealth technologies in bolstering cancer care delivery. Methods Utilising a qualitative methodology, in-depth semi-structured interviews with oncology healthcare professionals were executed. Data underwent inductive thematic analysis as per Braun and Clarke's guidelines. Results From the analysed data, two dominant themes surfaced. Firstly, “The current state of cancer care delivery” was subdivided into three distinct subthemes. Secondly, “Opportunities for enhanced care delivery via e-health” underscored the urgency of digital health reforms. Conclusion The need to restrategise cancer care in LMICs is highlighted by this study, using the Jordanian healthcare context as a reference. The transformative potential of e-health initiatives has been illustrated. However, the relevance of this study might be limited by its region-specific approach. Future research is deemed essential for deeper exploration into the integration of digital health within traditional oncology settings across diverse LMICs, emphasising the significance of telemedicine in digital-assisted care delivery reforms.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Leveraging e-health for enhanced cancer care service models in middle-income contexts: Qualitative insights from oncology care providers

Melhem,

Nabhani-Gebara,

Kayyali

2024

DIGITAL HEALTH

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“…This study adds to the literature by showing that complex interventions, including geriatric assessments and follow-up can be performed through these apps in a vulnerable population, such as older adults with low exposure to digital health tools. Previous results have shown that, among vulnerable patients, telemedicine obtains similar results and face-to-face care, with some considering it better due to increased access and availability, which represents a very significant and valuable endpoint for older adults [ 19 , 20 ]. In addition, we were able to perform other interventions, including chemotherapy prescription, via telemedicine.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Providing geriatric oncology care using telemedicine for older patients with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico

Hernández-Favela¹,

Jimenez-Sotomayor²,

Morales-Alfaro³

et al. 2023

ecancer

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The objective of this study was to describe our experience using readily available telemedicine tools to deliver specialist multidisciplinary care to older adults with cancer at a Mexican medical centre during the COVID-19 pandemic. Between March 2020 and March 2021, patients aged ≥65 years with colorectal or gastric cancer treated at a geriatric oncology clinic in Mexico City were included. Patients were reached via telemedicine utilising readily available apps such as WhatsApp or Zoom. We performed interventions such as geriatric assessments, treatment toxicity assessments, physical examinations and treatment prescription. The number of visits per patient, type of device used, preferred software/app, consultation barriers and the ability of the team to deliver complex interventions were analysed and reported. A total of 44 patients received at least one telehealth visit, with a total of 167 consultations. Only 20% of patients had webcamequipped computers, and 50% of visits were performed using a caregiver's device. Seventy-five percent of visits took place using WhatsApp, and 23% using Zoom. The average visit lasted 23 minutes, with only 2% not completed due to technical issues. A geriatric assessment was successfully conducted in 81% of telemedicine visits, and chemotherapy was prescribed remotely in 32%. The use of telemedicine is possible in older adults with cancer living in developing countries and with little previous exposure to digital technology using readily available platforms such as WhatsApp. Healthcare centres in developing countries should make efforts to enhance the use of telemedicine, particularly for vulnerable populations such as older adults with cancer.

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“…The proportions of respondents having noted an establishment of a remote consultation plan parallel that of the respondents reporting a delay in visits to the clinic. Thus, we can argue that the delay in visits has created the need for an alternative system to in-person consultation, and telemedicine has been the first response in many centers ( 82 , 83 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The worldwide impact of COVID-19 on cancer care: A meta-analysis of surveys published after the first wave of the pandemic

Cosimo

Susca²,

Apolone³

et al. 2022

Front. Oncol.

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BackgroundThe rapid and global spread of COVID-19 posed a massive challenge to healthcare systems, which came across the need to provide high-intensity assistance to thousands of patients suffering from SARS-CoV-2 infection while assuring continuous care for all other diseases. This has been of particular importance in the oncology field. This study explores how oncology centers responded to the pandemic at a single center level by assessing surveys addressing different aspects of cancer care after the pandemic outbreak.MethodsWe performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the cancer care surveys published until December 11th, 2020. Data were analyzed according to three main areas of interest, namely health care organization, including cancellation/delay and/or modification of scheduled treatments, cancellation/delay of outpatient visits, and reduction of overall cancer care activities; routine use of preventive measures, such as personal protective equipment (PPE) by both patients and health care workers, and systematic SARS-CoV-2 screening by nasopharyngeal swabs; and implementation of telemedicine through remote consultations.FindingsFifty surveys reporting data on 9150 providers from 121 countries on 5 continents were included. Cancellation/delay of treatment occurred in 58% of centers; delay of outpatient visits in 75%; changes in treatment plans in 65%; and a general reduction in clinical activity in 58%. Routine use of PPE by patients and healthcare personnel was reported by 81% and 80% of centers, respectively; systematic SARS-CoV-2 screening by nasopharyngeal swabs was reported by only 41% of centers. Virtual visits were implemented by the majority (72%) of centers.InterpretationThese results describe the negative impact of COVID-19 on cancer care, the rapid response of cancer centers in terms of preventive measures and alternative treatment approaches such as telemedicine, and confirm that surveys can provide the valuable, low-cost and immediate information that critical situations require.

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Telemedicine and Cancer Care in Low- and Middle-Income Countries During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic

Cited by 13 publications

References 43 publications

Leveraging e-health for enhanced cancer care service models in middle-income contexts: Qualitative insights from oncology care providers

Leveraging e-health for enhanced cancer care service models in middle-income contexts: Qualitative insights from oncology care providers

Providing geriatric oncology care using telemedicine for older patients with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico

The worldwide impact of COVID-19 on cancer care: A meta-analysis of surveys published after the first wave of the pandemic

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