J Breast Cancer.  2020 Oct;23(5):542-552. 10.4048/jbc.2020.23.e56.

Patient Perception of Telehealth Services for Breast and Gynecologic Oncology Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Single Center Surveybased Study

• Zimmerman BS
• Seidman D
• Berger N
• Cascetta KP
• Nezolosky M
• Trlica K
• Ryncarz A
• Keeton C
• Moshier E
• Tiersten A

• KMID: 2511832
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4048/jbc.2020.23.e56

Abstract

Prior to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, telehealth was rarely utilized for oncologic care in metropolitan areas. Our large New York City based outpatient breast/ gynecologic cancer clinic administered an 18-question survey to patients from March to June 2020, to assess the perceptions of the utility of telehealth medicine. Of the 622 patients, 215 (35%) completed the survey, and of the 215 respondents, 74 (35%) had participated in a telehealth visit. We evaluated the use of telehealth services using the validated Service User Technology Acceptability Questionnaire. Sixty-eight patients (92%) reported that telehealth services saved them time, 54 (73%) reported telehealth increased access to care, and 58 (82%) reported telehealth improved their health. Overall, 67 (92%) of patients expressed satisfaction with the use of telehealth services for oncologic care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Telehealth services should be carefully adopted as an addition to in-person clinical care of patients with cancer.

Keyword

Breast neoplasms; Coronavirus; Quality of life; Telemedicine