Dataset Information

Experience of Telemedicine Visits in Radiation Oncology During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A US National Survey and Lessons Learned for Incorporating Telemedicine Post-COVID-19.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

We sought to survey the attitudes and perceptions of US radiation oncologists toward the adoption of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic and offer suggestions for its integration in the postpandemic era.

Methods and materials

A 25-question, anonymous online survey was distributed nationwide to radiation oncologists.

Results

One hundred and twenty-one respondents completed the survey, with 92% from academia. Overall, 79% worked at institutions that had implemented a work-from-home policy, with which 74% were satisfied. Despite nearly all visit types being conducted in-person before COVID-19, 25%, 41%, and 5% of the respondents used telemedicine for more than half of their new consultations, follow-up, and on-treatment visits, respectively, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most (83%) reported being comfortable integrating telemedicine. Although telemedicine was appreciated as being more convenient for patients (97%) and reducing transmission of infectious agents (83%), the most commonly perceived disadvantages were difficulty in performing physical examinations (90%), patients' inability to use technology adequately (74%), and technical malfunctions (72%). Compared with in-person visits, telemedicine was felt to be inferior in establishing a personal connection during consultation (90%) and assessing for toxicity while on-treatment (88%) and during follow-up (70%). For follow-up visits, genitourinary and thoracic were perceived as most appropriate for telemedicine while gynecologic and head and neck were considered the least appropriate. Overall, 70% were in favor of more telemedicine, even after pandemic is over.

Conclusions

Telemedicine will likely remain part of the radiation oncology workflow in most clinics after the pandemic. It should be used in conjunction with in-person visits, and may be best used for conducting follow-up visits in certain disease sites such as genitourinary and thoracic malignancies.

SUBMITTER: Ma TM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9744187 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan-Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Experience of Telemedicine Visits in Radiation Oncology During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A US National Survey and Lessons Learned for Incorporating Telemedicine Post-COVID-19.

Ma Ting Martin TM Parikh Neil R NR Philipson Rebecca G RG van Dams Ritchell R Chang Eric M EM Hegde John V JV Kishan Amar U AU Kaprealian Tania B TB Steinberg Michael L ML Raldow Ann C AC

Advances in radiation oncology 20221212 1

<h4>Purpose</h4>We sought to survey the attitudes and perceptions of US radiation oncologists toward the adoption of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic and offer suggestions for its integration in the postpandemic era.<h4>Methods and materials</h4>A 25-question, anonymous online survey was distributed nationwide to radiation oncologists.<h4>Results</h4>One hundred and twenty-one respondents completed the survey, with 92% from academia. Overall, 79% worked at institutions that had implemen ...[more]

PMID: 36532603

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Dataset Information

Experience of Telemedicine Visits in Radiation Oncology During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A US National Survey and Lessons Learned for Incorporating Telemedicine Post-COVID-19.

Purpose

Methods and materials

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Experience of Telemedicine Visits in Radiation Oncology During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A US National Survey and Lessons Learned for Incorporating Telemedicine Post-COVID-19.

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