When the WHO declared the outbreak of COVID 19, a global pandemic in March 2020, regular patient care was adversely affected. The biggest challenge was faced by the hematology and oncology patients, as they had comorbidities that are associated with adverse outcomes from SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Telemedicine was rapidly developed during the period, especially for hematology and oncology patients, which is the basic study point. The methods used included Telehealth video visits using the Houston Methodist MyChart platform as an alternative to in-person visits.
Few patients declined the video visits, and their data was recorded. Surveys were used to know the satisfaction level of the physicians and patients who agreed to video visits.
Of 1762 patients with cancer, 1477 accepted the telehealth video visits. Patients over the age of 60.2 years or living in low-income areas and lacked commercial insurance were unwilling for telemedicine. 92.6% of the patients who participated were satisfied with the video visits, while 65.2% of physicians were happy. 74% indicated an inclination to use telemedicine in the future.
Oncology/hematology patients and their physicians displayed high levels of satisfaction while using telehealth video visits. Still, there is a scope to improve telemedicine for the medical care of older, low-income, and underinsured patient populations.
Ref: https://ascopubs.org/doi/full/10.1200/OP.20.00572
