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Shih KK, Arechiga AB, Chen X, Urbauer DL, De Moraes AR, Rodriguez AJ, Thomas L, Stanton PA, Bruera E, Hui D. Telehealth Preferences Among Patients With Advanced Cancer in the Post COVID-19 Vaccine Era. J Pain Symptom Manage 2024; 67:525-534.e1. [PMID: 38467349 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2024.02.572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few studies have examined patient preferences for telehealth in palliative care after the availability of COVID-19 vaccines. We examined patient preferences for video versus in-person visits and factors contributing to preferences in the postvaccine era. METHODS This is a cross-sectional survey of patients who were seen at our palliative care clinic between April 2021 and March 2022. Patients were surveyed directly their preference for either video or in-person visits for outpatient palliative care (primary outcome). We also surveyed preferences including convenience, cost, wait time, and perceptions of COVID-19 safety regarding their palliative virtual-video visit. We examined clinical factors associated with preferences with multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS About 200 patients completed the survey. 132 (67%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 60%, 74%) preferred virtual-video, while 16 (8%) preferred in-person visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. About 120 (61%, 95%CI: 54%, 68%) preferred virtual-video after the pandemic. Patients perceived virtual-video favorably regarding travel and related costs (179 [91%]), convenience (175 [88%]), and wait time (136 [69%]). Multivariable analysis showed concerns for catching COVID-19 from healthcare providers (odds ratio [OR]: 4.20; 95%CI: 1.24-14.25; P = 0.02) and feeling comfortable with computers or mobile devices (OR: 4.59; 95%CI: 1.02, 20.60; P = 0.047) were significantly associated with preferring virtual-video. Patients who were of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity (OR: 0.25; 95%CI: 0.09, 0.71) and had increased dypsnea (OR: 0.74; 95%CI: 0.59, 0.93) were less likely to prefer video over in-person. CONCLUSION Patients expressed strong preference for video over in-person visits in the outpatient palliative care setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaoswi K Shih
- Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine (K.K.S., A.B.A., A.R.D.M., A.J.R., L.T., P.A.S., E.B., D.H.), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Adrienne B Arechiga
- Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine (K.K.S., A.B.A., A.R.D.M., A.J.R., L.T., P.A.S., E.B., D.H.), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Biostatistics (X.C., D.L.U.), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Diana L Urbauer
- Department of Biostatistics (X.C., D.L.U.), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Aline Rozman De Moraes
- Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine (K.K.S., A.B.A., A.R.D.M., A.J.R., L.T., P.A.S., E.B., D.H.), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Ashley J Rodriguez
- Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine (K.K.S., A.B.A., A.R.D.M., A.J.R., L.T., P.A.S., E.B., D.H.), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Lisa Thomas
- Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine (K.K.S., A.B.A., A.R.D.M., A.J.R., L.T., P.A.S., E.B., D.H.), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Penny A Stanton
- Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine (K.K.S., A.B.A., A.R.D.M., A.J.R., L.T., P.A.S., E.B., D.H.), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Eduardo Bruera
- Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine (K.K.S., A.B.A., A.R.D.M., A.J.R., L.T., P.A.S., E.B., D.H.), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - David Hui
- Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine (K.K.S., A.B.A., A.R.D.M., A.J.R., L.T., P.A.S., E.B., D.H.), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
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Bernhardt F, Bückmann A, Krüger J, Bauer B, Hofmeister U, Juhra C, Eveslage M, Fischhuber K, Storck M, Brix TJ, Lenz P. Telemedicine Plus Standard Care Versus Standard Care Only in Specialized Outpatient Palliative Care: A Randomized Controlled Noninferiority Trial. Telemed J E Health 2024; 30:1459-1469. [PMID: 38294865 DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2023.0621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Patients suffering from incurable diseases are more likely to die in the hospital than at home. Specialized outpatient palliative care (PC) may be able to counteract this tendency. Similarly, potential benefits of telemedicine in health care were scientifically reported. The aim of this research was to compare patients receiving specialized outpatient PC plus telemedicine with those receiving standard specialized outpatient PC only. In this study, telemedicine is assumed to decrease the number of home visits and therefore should not be considered a mere add-on. Methods: This is a randomized controlled noninferiority trial. Recruitment lasted between January 2020 and October 2021. Quality of care was evaluated using the Integrated Palliative Care Outcome Scale (IPOS) at day 0, 7, and 14 after randomization. Change from day 0 to 7 was defined as the primary outcome (noninferiority margin = 4 points). This study was conducted in an urban setting in collaboration with a university hospital and a local specialized outpatient PC service. Results: A total of 196 patients were screened with 34 patients included (18 telemedicine/16 standard care). The mean change in the total score of the IPOS from day 0 to 7 amounted to -1.8 ± 3.9 (telemedicine) versus 1.2 ± 5.7 (standard care). The telemedicine group was statistically not relevantly inferior to the standard care group (t-test for noninferiority, p = 0.005). Conclusions: Although, due to COVID-19, the sample size remained rather small, our findings indicate that telemedical approaches offer a promising and equally effective option to provide specialized outpatient PC. Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT06054048.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Bernhardt
- Department of Palliative Care, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
- West German Cancer Center Consortium, Network Partner Muenster, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Andreas Bückmann
- Department of Palliative Care, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
- West German Cancer Center Consortium, Network Partner Muenster, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Janina Krüger
- Specialized Outpatient Palliative Care Service Muenster, Palliativnetz Muenster gGmbH, Muenster, Germany
| | - Birgit Bauer
- Specialized Outpatient Palliative Care Service Muenster, Palliativnetz Muenster gGmbH, Muenster, Germany
| | - Ulrike Hofmeister
- Specialized Outpatient Palliative Care Service Muenster, Palliativnetz Muenster gGmbH, Muenster, Germany
| | - Christian Juhra
- Office for eHealth, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Maria Eveslage
- Institute of Biostatistics and Clinical Research, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Karen Fischhuber
- Institute of Biostatistics and Clinical Research, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Michael Storck
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Tobias J Brix
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Philipp Lenz
- Department of Palliative Care, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
- West German Cancer Center Consortium, Network Partner Muenster, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
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Soumerai TE, Mulvey TM, Jackson VA, Lennes IT. Supportive Care for Cancer Patients Via Telehealth: Breaking Bad News and Providing Palliative Care Virtually. Cancer J 2024; 30:27-30. [PMID: 38265923 DOI: 10.1097/ppo.0000000000000699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Delivering oncologic care via telemedicine has presented a unique set of benefits and challenges. Discussions of sensitive topics between patients and providers can be difficult on a virtual platform. Although it was imperative to utilize telemedicine to keep cancer patients safe during the height of the pandemic, its continued use in the postvaccination era has provided important conveniences to both providers and patients. In the case of breaking bad news and end-of-life discussions, however, in-person care has remained the overwhelming preference of both groups. If face-to-face consultation is not possible or feasible in these situations, virtual visits are a viable option to connect oncologists with their patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara E Soumerai
- From the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA
| | - Therese M Mulvey
- From the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA
| | - Vicki A Jackson
- From the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA
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Bückmann A, Bernhardt F, Eveslage M, Storck M, Thölking G, Buss H, Domagk D, Juhra C, Lenz P. Telemedical Consultations in Palliative Care: Benefits through Knowledge Exchange and Intercollegiate Collaboration-Findings from the German oVID Project. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15092512. [PMID: 37173978 PMCID: PMC10177576 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15092512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: As the number of people receiving specialized palliative care (PC) continues to rise, there is a need to ensure the transfer of this expertise from university-based PC departments to primary care hospitals without such in-house access. The present study examines the potential of telemedicine to bridge these gaps. (2) Methods: This is a prospective multi-center feasibility trial. All physicians were appropriately pre-equipped and instructed to conduct telemedical consultations (TCs), which took place within fixed meetings or on-call appointments either related or unrelated to individual patients (allowing TCs also for educational and knowledge exchange purposes). (3) Results: An inquiry for participation was submitted to 11 hospitals, with 5 external hospitals actively cooperating. In the first study section, a total of 57 patient cases were included within 95 patient-related TCs during 80 meetings. Other university disciplines were involved in 21 meetings (26.2%). Therapy adjustments resulted following 25 of 71 affected TCs (35.2%). In 20 cases (21.1%), an on-site consultation at the university hospital was avoided, and in 12 cases (12.6%), a transfer was avoided. Overall, TCs were considered helpful in resolving issues for 97.9% of the cases (n = 93). Yet, technical problems arose in about one-third of all meetings for at least one physician (36.2%; n = 29). Besides, in the second study section, we also conducted 43 meetings between physicians for education and knowledge exchange only. (4) Conclusions: Telemedicine has the potential to transfer university expertise to external hospitals through simple means. It improves collaboration among physicians, may prevent unnecessary transfers or outpatient presentations, and is thus likely to lower costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Bückmann
- Department of Palliative Care, University Hospital Muenster, 48149 Muenster, Germany
- West German Cancer Center Consortium (WTZ), Network Partner Muenster, University Hospital Muenster, 48149 Muenster, Germany
| | - Florian Bernhardt
- Department of Palliative Care, University Hospital Muenster, 48149 Muenster, Germany
- West German Cancer Center Consortium (WTZ), Network Partner Muenster, University Hospital Muenster, 48149 Muenster, Germany
| | - Maria Eveslage
- Institute of Biostatistics and Clinical Research, University of Muenster, 48149 Muenster, Germany
| | - Michael Storck
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University of Muenster, 48149 Muenster, Germany
| | - Gerold Thölking
- Department of Internal Medicine and Nephrology, University Hospital Muenster Marienhospital Steinfurt, 48565 Steinfurt, Germany
| | - Helga Buss
- Department of Geriatrics, EVK Muenster Alexianer Johannisstift GmbH, 48147 Muenster, Germany
| | - Dirk Domagk
- Department of Medicine I: Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Josephs-Hospital Warendorf, Academic Teaching Hospital of the University of Muenster, 48231 Warendorf, Germany
| | - Christian Juhra
- Office for eHealth, University Hospital Muenster, 48149 Muenster, Germany
| | - Philipp Lenz
- Department of Palliative Care, University Hospital Muenster, 48149 Muenster, Germany
- West German Cancer Center Consortium (WTZ), Network Partner Muenster, University Hospital Muenster, 48149 Muenster, Germany
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