Analysis of the Implementation of Telehealth Visits for Care of Patients With Cancer in Houston During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of telemedicine amid the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in patients with cancer and assess barriers to its implementation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Telehealth video visits, using the Houston Methodist MyChart platform, were offered to patients with cancer as an alternative to in-person visits. Reasons given by patients who declined to use video visits were documented, and demographic information was collected from all patients. Surveys were used to assess the levels of satisfaction of treating physicians and patients who agreed to video visits. RESULTS: Of 1,762 patients with cancer who were offered telehealth video visits, 1,477 (83.8%) participated. The patients who declined participation were older (67.7 v 60.2 years; P < .0001), lived in significantly lower-income areas ( P = .0021), and were less likely to have commercial insurance ( P < .0001) than patients who participated. Most participating patients (92.6%) were satisfied with telehealth video visits. A majority of physicians (65.2%) were also satisfied with its use, and 74% indicated that they would likely use telemedicine in the future. Primary concerns that physicians had in using this technology were inadequate patient interactions and acquisition of medical data, increased potential for missing significant clinical findings, decreased quality of care, and potential medical liability. CONCLUSION: Oncology/hematology patients and their physicians expressed high levels of satisfaction with the use of telehealth video visits. Despite recent advances in technology, there are still opportunities to improve the equal implementation of telemedicine for the medical care of vulnerable older, low-income, and underinsured patient populations.

Cross Sectional E-Health Evaluation Study for Telemedicine and M-Health Approaches in Monitoring COVID-19 Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

“…Findings reflected that the interviewees are slightly more satisfied with Telehealth compared to mHealth. These results regarding satisfaction contrasted with survey results, where participants identified with being slightly more satisfied with mHealth compared to Telehealth, supporting findings from [47][48][49][50]. Furthermore, in relation to future use prospects, Telehealth was identified to be a promising approach in reducing clinical visits, improving quality healthcare.…”

Telemedicine Practice in Saudi Arabia During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…However, studies regarding costeffectiveness of telemedicine tend to depend on the context, and previous studies have sometimes failed to give conclusive data regarding cost-effectiveness [11][12][13][14]. Similarly, studies have shown high patient satisfaction for some contexts but not conclusive data in other contexts [15][16][17].…”

Communication strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic: Unforeseen opportunities and drawbacks

“…For these, and other, reasons, patients have been very satisfied with the incorporation of telehealth into routine clinical practice. 5 …”