Teleoncology Orientation of Low-Income Breast Cancer Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Feasibility and Patient Satisfaction

Abstract

Objective The present study aims to assess the feasibility and patient satisfaction of teleoncology orientation in a vulnerable population of breast cancer patients assessed in a government health system during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. Methods Eligible patients received an invitation to receive remote care to minimize exposure to an environment in which the risk of respiratory infection was present. The means of communication was telephone through an application that allows free conversation with no charge. An anonymous-response questionnaire based on a Likert-type scale was sent through a cell phone application or e-mail directly to each patient or close relative of the patient immediately after teleconsultation. Responses to the questions, which addressed utility, facility, interface quality, interaction quality, reliability, satisfaction, and interest in future evaluation, were compiled and analyzed. Results A total of 176 eligible patients scheduled for consultation were evaluated and 98 were included. Seventy (71.4%) successfully undertook the teleorientation. The questionnaire was submitted by 43 (61.4%) patients. The overall teleoncology orientation was classified as very positive by 41 (95.3%) patients. Specifically, regarding the questionnaire items, 43 (100%) patients scored 4 or 5 (agreed that the teleconsultation was beneficial) concerning the facility, followed by 42 (97.2%) for the interface quality, 41 (95.3%) for both utility and interaction quality, 40 (93%) for satisfaction and interest in future evaluation, and, finally, 39 (90.6%) for reliability. Conclusion Teleoncology orientation of low-income breast cancer patients is most feasible and leads to high patient satisfaction.

Teleoncology: A Solution for Everyone? A Single-Center Experience with Telemedicine during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic

“…With the arrival of COVID-19, considerably more studies addressed breast cancer patients’ telemedicine experience. In general, it was altogether concluded that tele-oncology was effective, safe and that patients were highly satisfied and felt confident with their care [ 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 ]. Despite this overall approval, it is important to remark on the matter of the physical examination during a telehealth visit.…”

Health Services and Patient Satisfaction in IRAN during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Methodology Based on Analytic Hierarchy Process and Artificial Neural Network

“…Accessibility encompasses aspects of the treatment, such as shorter waiting times (Zopf et al 2012) and simpler admission and discharge processes (Otani et al 2003). Past research has emphasized the importance of providing effective telehealth services for patient satisfaction (Miziara et al 2022;Montoya et al 2022;Skime et al 2022). Availability consists of such indicators as adequate numbers of nurses, physicians, and equipment (Batbaatar et al 2017).…”

Telehealth in breast cancer following the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic

“…Furthermore, self-insured patients were 70% less likely to adopt virtual appointments in comparison with patients in other insurances [ 51 ]. Efforts should be put in making telemedicine more accessible to low-income BC patients, especially that they find it beneficial and easily accessible [ 52 ].…”

“…A study from the US showed that BC patients coming from households with more than a 150,000 USD income per year were 2.38 times more likely to use telemedicine than those from households with less than 50,000 USD per year. Furthermore, self-insured patients were 70% less likely to adopt virtual appointments in comparison with patients in other insurances [51]. Efforts should be put in making telemedicine more accessible to low-income BC patients, especially that they find it beneficial and easily accessible [52].…”