Telehealth for cancer care is now a key component in modern oncology. It offers patients increased access to healthcare providers and specialists, mainly when in-person care is challenging or impossible. It also expands remote health service options for care, such as communicating with their medical teams and managing their treatment journey.
This article highlights two studies researching telemedicine in cancer care, focusing on cost savings and improved access to medical care.
Understanding Telehealth in Cancer Care
Telehealth for cancer care encompasses a wide range of remote health services, which include the following.
- Virtual consultations with oncologists and specialists
- Remote monitoring of symptoms and side effects
- Online support groups and counseling sessions
- Digital platforms for medication management
- Telemedicine-enabled follow-up appointments
These services allow cancer patients to receive comprehensive care from home, reducing the need for frequent hospital visits and minimizing exposure to potential infections – a critical consideration for immunocompromised individuals.
Benefits of Telehealth for Cancer Patients
Telehealth for cancer care offers several advantages.
- Improved Access: Patients in rural or underserved areas can connect with top specialists without long-distance travel.
- Time and Cost Savings: By eliminating travel expenses and reducing time off work, telehealth for cancer care can lower the indirect costs associated with cancer care.
- Continuity of Care: Regular virtual check-ins enable healthcare providers to monitor patients more closely, potentially catching complications earlier.
- Reduced Burden: For patients experiencing fatigue or mobility issues, virtual visits can be less taxing than in-person appointments.
- Enhanced Communication: Digital platforms facilitate more accessible communication between patients, caregivers, and healthcare teams.
Research Insights on Telehealth for Cancer Care
In the following section, we highlight two studies on the impact and perception of telehealth in cancer care. A study at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Florida analyzed telehealth visits during the COVID-19 pandemic and showed substantial patient cost savings. Another study focused on prostate cancer survivors explored the adoption and perception of telehealth services.
Telehealth for Cancer Care: Time and Cost-Savings
The first study at the National Cancer Institute–Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center reviewed 25,500 telehealth for cancer care visits for 11,600 patients and the indirect costs of physician visits. The indirect costs were travel and income lost due to time spent attending appointments and traveling to healthcare facilities. Researchers found that telehealth for cancer care instead of in-person visits led to substantial patient cost savings.
Each telehealth visit saved an average of $147 to $186. These savings can make a significant difference for cancer patients, especially considering the frequent medical appointments often required. Telehealth provides convenience and reduces the need to take time off work. Cancer patients can manage their medical conditions with telehealth without compromising their income.
Telehealth Use in Prostate Cancer Survivors
A study published in Cancer Medicine researched the use and perception of telehealth for cancer care in prostate cancer survivors. Researchers had tracked patients between 2011 and 2013. A decade later, survivors were surveyed about their use and perceptions of telehealth services.
About 28.5% of the surveyed prostate cancer survivors reported using telehealth services. Patients younger than 65, Black individuals, those with a college-level education, and those in urban or mixed areas were more likely to utilize telehealth. Most survivors still felt that it couldn’t fully replace telehealth for cancer care with in-person visits. About 55% considered telehealth a valuable resource for basic care and initial consultations. However, only 10% believed telehealth care was comparable to in-person visits.
Patients with a college education were 20% more likely to consider using telehealth, while 8% of those with a high school education or less would consider it. Initially, residents of rural communities reported lower telehealth use compared to urban or mixed areas. The disparity may be due to a lack of internet and technology access and overall comfort with using these devices.
Understanding Telehealth for Cancer Care
Understanding the variations in telehealth based on education levels can help target interventions to improve telehealth use. As technology and healthcare evolve, finding ways to bridge the gaps in telehealth adoption is vital to equitable access to healthcare services for all cancer survivors. Stay updated on the latest research findings in telehealth for cancer care. Companies looking to implement or enhance their chronic care, telehealth, and remote patient monitoring services can benefit from working with Tenovi. Tenovi provides a wealth of knowledge and expertise to ensure success. Visit Tenovi to schedule a free demo today.
