New analysis in JNCCN finds telemedicine cons

PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA (Might 8, 2023) — New analysis within the Might 2023 challenge of JNCCN—Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network from Moffitt Most cancers Middle finds that telemedicine constantly outperformed in-person visits for each entry to care and supplier response, based on a long-term research on affected person expertise. Researchers analyzed survey responses from 39,268 sufferers throughout greater than 50,000 visits. Telemedicine experiences had been in comparison with in-person visits throughout and after the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, beginning April 1, 2020, and operating via June 30, 2021.

“The pandemic compelled a reshuffling of treasured well being care sources. Suppliers taking care of most cancers sufferers wanted revolutionary approaches for high-quality and well timed care,” mentioned lead researcher Krupal B. Patel, MD, MSc, Moffitt Most cancers Middle. “Anecdotally, we knew from the suggestions of medical suppliers that our telemedicine implementation was efficient and environment friendly. Nonetheless, it was essential to have surrogate final result measures from the sufferers’ perspective. Affected person expertise surveys offered us with a possibility to check this in additional element.”

The researchers reviewed Press Ganey survey knowledge from 33,318 sufferers who had in-person visits and 5,950 sufferers with telemedicine visits. When it got here to entry to care, 62.5% of in-person visits had been rated as extremely satisfying, versus 75.8% for telemedicine. The corresponding charges had been 84.2% in-person and 90.7% through telemedicine for top satisfaction with the response and quantity of concern demonstrated by their care supplier. There have been no vital modifications over time for both class.

“Telemedicine visits could be included in sufferers’ day-to-day schedule to allow them to full their appointments earlier than or after work, or throughout a break. It offers them flexibility and in the end will increase entry,” added senior researcher Philippe E. Spiess, MD, MS, Moffitt Most cancers Middle, who can also be a Member of the NCCN Board of Administrators, Tips Steering Committee, and Vice-Chair of the NCCN Tips Panel for Bladder/Penile Cancers. “As care suppliers we ought to be main the dialogue and advocating on our sufferers’ behalf for each cross-state licensing and continued reimbursements for telemedicine visits.”

“Lots of our establishments had been compelled to undertake telemedicine visits in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This huge, retrospective research exhibits the affected person expertise was just like, or higher than, in-person visits in the course of the research interval,” commented Travis Osterman, DO, MS, FAMIA, FASCO, Affiliate Vice President for Analysis Informatics, Vanderbilt College Medical Middle, a Member of the NCCN EHR Oncology Advisory Group—who was not concerned on this analysis. “Going ahead, oncology practices want to contemplate telemedicine as an choice for acceptable sufferers.”

The research additionally references earlier analysis into care supplier views on telemedicine, and the potential for decreasing prices similar to journey, parking, and housing preparations.^(1),(2). Nonetheless, the researchers be aware that not all oncology visits ought to be digital. Cautious affected person choice is vital to find out which sufferers should be seen in-person for assessments and different therapies.

To learn the complete research, go to JNCCN.org. Complimentary entry to “Telemedicine Adoption in an NCI-Designated Cancer Center During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Report on Patient Experience of Care” is obtainable till August 10, 2023.

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About JNCCN—Journal of the Nationwide Complete Most cancers Community

Greater than 25,000 oncologists and different most cancers care professionals throughout america learn JNCCN—Journal of the Nationwide Complete Most cancers Community. This peer-reviewed, listed medical journal supplies the most recent details about innovation in translational drugs, and scientific research associated to oncology well being providers analysis, together with high quality care and worth, bioethics, comparative and value effectiveness, public coverage, and interventional analysis on supportive care and survivorship. JNCCN options updates on the NCCN Scientific Follow Tips in Oncology (NCCN Tips^®), assessment articles elaborating on tips suggestions, well being providers analysis, and case stories highlighting molecular insights in affected person care. JNCCN is printed by Harborside. Go to JNCCN.org. To inquire in case you are eligible for a FREE subscription to JNCCNgo to NCCN.org/jnccn/subscribe. Comply with JNCCN on Twitter @JNCCN.

Concerning the Nationwide Complete Most cancers Community

The Nationwide Complete Most cancers Community^® (NCCN^®) is a not-for-profit alliance of leading cancer centers dedicated to affected person care, analysis, and schooling. NCCN is devoted to bettering and facilitating high quality, efficient, equitable, and accessible most cancers care so all sufferers can stay higher lives. The NCCN Scientific Follow Tips in Oncology (NCCN Tips^®) present clear, evidence-based, skilled consensus suggestions for most cancers remedy, prevention, and supportive providers; they’re the acknowledged normal for medical path and coverage in most cancers administration and essentially the most thorough and frequently-updated medical follow tips out there in any space of drugs. The NCCN Tips for Sufferers^® present skilled most cancers remedy data to tell and empower sufferers and caregivers, via assist from the NCCN Foundation^®. NCCN additionally advances persevering with schooling, world initiatives, coverage, and analysis collaboration and publication in oncology. Go to NCCN.org for extra data.

(1) Turner Ok, Bobonis Babilonia M, Naso C, et al. Well being care suppliers’ and professionals’ experiences with telehealth oncology implementation in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative research. J Med Web Res 2022;24:e29635.

(2) Patel KB, Turner Ok, Alishahi Tabriz A, et al. Estimated Oblique Price Financial savings of Utilizing Telehealth Amongst Nonelderly Sufferers With Most cancers. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(1):e2250211. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.50211