Authors (including presenting author) :
Chan CSA (1), Lee KY (2), Chan KWK (1), Chiu KM (1), Lee HY (2), Fong CSF (2), Tsoi YKV(1), Cheung KYF (1)
Affiliation :
(1) Department of Surgery, North District Hospital, (2) Health Resource Centre, New Territories East Cluster
Introduction :
The COVID-19 pandemic makes everyone especially patients diagnosed with breast cancer in a challenging position. Women with breast cancer are facing a sudden change of well-being and have great impact both physically and psychologically. COVID-19 restricted access to in-person to the clinic for reaching cancer support and rehabilitation programs which can help them to get information, to seek support and to go through the cancer treatment journeys. So new mode of service was discussed and planned together with Health Resource Centre (HRC) in New Territories East Cluster. Telehealth service using virtual platform has started from December 2020 in order to provide education talk, professional instruction & stress management workshop.
Objectives :
To provide continuous educational information, professional support, peer sharing session, workshop for rehabilitation to breast cancer patients.
To minimize the time for in-person clinic visit and the exposure of high-risk area.
To allow patients and their relatives to reach hospital service for their enquiry and support which can help them to prepare well for the treatment and also the rehabilitation.
To facilitate patients for joining group support activities by a convenient way via mobile device at home.
To help in promotion of using virtual platform and HA Go system by one to one using instruction session by HRC staff to the participants.
Methodology :
Invited and discussed with the disciplines (Breast Nurses, Physiotherapists, social workers, Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Survivors support group members) that involved in treatment and rehabilitation in cancer journeys. A series of 1-hour education and information talk, exercise class, stress management workshop and survivors sharing sessions conducted on every alternate Saturday morning. Patients and relatives are recruited mainly from oncology and breast surgery in NTEC. They should have pre-registration and some preparation work in HRC. Satisfaction Survey will be performed after each session.
Result & Outcome :
From December 2020 to December 2022, there were 46 sessions of educational talk and 17 sessions of stress management workshops conducted. 794 participants were joined. All participants expressed positive experiences while participating in virtual sessions.
Telehealth service in health care develops rapidly under COVID-19 pandemic. Time is needed for us to adapt the new mode. After repeated learning and practice, peoples especially some vulnerable one enjoyed to join the service provided. Although in-person activity is still the first priority for patients to get connected, new mode of service is still treasurable.
