Patients with rare cancers want to keep using telemedicine

Patients with sarcoma have benefitted financially from using telemedicine during the pandemic, according to a study that encourages implementing a mixed system of care moving forward.

In an online survey, patients with sarcoma were as satisfied with telemedicine appointments as they were with face-to-face appointments, although most (88%) strongly opposed being told bad news virtually. Overall, 57% preferred telemedicine appointments.

Similarly, providers said the workload with telemedicine was comparable to traditional consultations, and more than half (66%) thought telemedicine should be used in regular practice.

“Utilization of telemedicine for patients with rare cancers such as sarcomas is an innovative approach to the delivery of care, especially considering the time and financial pressures on patients who often live a distance away from specialist centers,” the authors concluded.

Reference
McCabe HM, Smrke A, Cowie F, et al. What matters to us: Impact of telemedicine during the pandemic in the care of patients with sarcoma across Scotland. JCO Glob Oncol. 2021;7:1067-1073. doi: 10.1200/GO.20.00599. PMID: 34191537.