Authors (including presenting author) :
Chan DCW (1), Cheung LWM (1), Tam WY (1), Yuen CM (1), Lai LS (1), Lau SF (1), Hon HC (1), Chan WK (1), Lam CHE (1), Wong WKH (1), Shum CY (1), Yuen KT (1)
Affiliation :
(1) Department of Oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital, HKSAR, China
Introduction :
Social determinants of health can have a great impact on cancer care in regions under a Zero-COVID policy. Restrictions on elective procedures, mandates for social distancing, and stay-in-place orders each present barriers for cancer care delivery during the pandemic. In a city with high population density like Hong Kong, telemedicine has the ability to improve patient access to care while maximizing social distancing between patients and healthcare workers. By reducing patient hospital dwelling time, cross infections and manpower exhaustion can be prevented, workflow efficiency can be sustained using a segregated-team workflow.
Objectives :
The objective of this pilot study was to compare average waiting-time between telehealth consultations versus face-to-face follow-up in the oncology specialist out-patient clinic.
Methodology :
We conducted a pilot study using an in-house telehealth platform HA GO! to conduct radiotherapy treatment review clinic, systemic anticancer therapy clinic, and survivorship follow-up clinic and compared the average waiting-time between telehealth versus face-to-face consultation in each clinic.
Result & Outcome :
Between June 10, 2022 and December 9, 2022, 55 telehealth attendances were conducted (40 for radiotherapy treatment review clinic, 7 for systemic anticancer therapy clinic, and 8 survivorship follow-up clinic). A total of 2079 face-to-face consultations were conducted during June, 2022 (293 radiotherapy treatment review clinic, 1356 systemic anticancer therapy clinic, and 430 survivorship follow-up clinic). Mean waiting time for telehealth versus face-to-face followup for radiotherapy treatment review were 26 minutes vs 64 minutes (p< 0.001), systemic anticancer therapy review 47 minutes vs. 120 minutes (p< 0.001), and survivorship follow-up 31 minutes vs. 154 minutes (P< 0.001), respectively.
Conclusions: Telemedicine has significant potential in reducing oncology specialist outpatient clinic waiting time using a segregated-team workflow. Delivery of telehealth can facilitate the government’s healthcare policy by reducing hospital dwelling time and also aid in transitioning to a mitigation strategy during the fight against the Covid19 pandemic while maintaining continuity of care for cancer patients.
