Implementation of Telehealth in Radiation Oncology: Rapid Integration During COVID-19 and Its Future Role in Our Practice.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

The widespread coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in significant changes in care delivery among radiation oncology practices and has demanded the rapid incorporation of telehealth. However, the impact of a large-scale transition to telehealth in radiation oncology on patient access to care and the viability of care delivery are largely unknown. In this manuscript, we review our implementation and report data on patient access to care and billing implications. Because telehealth is likely to continue after COVID-19, we propose a radiation oncology-specific algorithm for telehealth.

Methods and materials

In March 2020, our department began to use telehealth for all new consults, posttreatment encounters, and follow-up appointments. Billable encou

SUBMITTER: Goenka A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7546643 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan-Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature