Telemedicine Versus Clinic Visit: A Pilot Study of Patient Satisfaction and Recall of Diet and Exercise Recommendations From Survivorship Care Plans

Exercise and survival benefit in cancer patients: evidence from a comprehensive meta-analysis

Cancer remains a major global health challenge, and growing evidence suggests that physical activity is a key modifiable factor that may improve survival outcomes in cancer patients. However, a comprehensive, large-scale synthesis of the effects of post-diagnosis physical activity across multiple cancer types remains lacking. This meta-analysis aims to systematically evaluate the association between physical activity and survival in patients diagnosed with breast, lung, prostate, colorectal, and skin cancers. We conducted a comprehensive search in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library for studies on physical activity and cancer survival. Eligible studies (January 2000-November 2024) included adults (≥ 18 years) with breast, lung, prostate, colorectal, or skin cancer. Only prospective cohort and case-control studies reporting hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for overall or cancer-specific mortality were included, with a minimum sample size of 100 and at least six months of follow-up. Meta-analysis was performed using metaanalysisonline.com, applying random-effects models and assessing heterogeneity via the I2 statistic. Sensitivity analyses and publication bias (Egger's test, funnel plots) were evaluated. The meta-analysis included 151 cohorts with almost 1.5 million cancer patients. Post-diagnosis physical activity was associated with significantly lower cancer-specific mortality across all five cancer types. The greatest benefit was observed in breast cancer, with a pooled hazard ratio (HR) of 0.69 (95% CI: 0.63-0.75), followed by prostate cancer (HR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.62-0.87). Lung cancer patients who engaged in physical activity had a 24% lower risk of cancer-specific death (HR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.69-0.84), while colorectal cancer patients experienced a similar benefit (HR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.63-0.80). In skin cancer, physical activity was associated with a non-significant reduction in mortality (HR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.71-1.05). These findings provide robust evidence supporting the survival benefits of post-diagnosis physical activity in cancer patients, particularly for breast, prostate, lung, and colorectal cancers. The results underscore the potential for incorporating structured physical activity interventions into oncological care to improve long-term patient outcomes.

Expansion of patient eligibility for virtual glaucoma clinics: a long-term strategy to increase the capacity of high-quality glaucoma care

AIMS

The virtual glaucoma clinic (VGC) is a well-established diagnostic pathway for delivery of glaucoma care. Current UK national guidance recommends VGCs for patients with ocular hypertension, glaucoma suspects or early glaucoma. This study evaluates whether expanded eligibility criteria, including other glaucoma phenotypes and disease stages, can deliver safe and effective care with a positive patient experience.

METHODS

Records of over 8000 patients were reviewed in order to determine suitability for VGC attendance using expanded eligibility criteria. Patients with three prior consecutive visits within the glaucoma service were included. Follow-up interval, clinic type, visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP) and visual field performance were recorded. Patient satisfaction was recorded for a sample of 118 patients.

RESULTS

2017 patients over 31 months were included. Two-thirds of eyes had ocular comorbidities, a fifth of eyes had undergone prior cataract surgery and 10% of eyes had undergone a prior laser treatment for glaucoma. After three visits, 32% of patients remained in the VGC, 42% were seen in face-to-face clinics and 25% were discharged. There were no clinically significant changes in VA, IOP and visual field performance during follow-up. 72% of patients expressed a preference to continue their care within VGCs.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that VGCs with expanded patient eligibility criteria can deliver high-quality glaucoma care that is safe, effective and with high levels of patient satisfaction. This approach provides a long-term solution to adapt delivery of glaucoma care to our expanding and ageing population.

Nursing Telemedicine Educational Encounters: Improved Patient Satisfaction in Radiation Therapy Clinics

BACKGROUND

 Nurse-led education can improve patient satisfaction, and telemedicine has increased patient access during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVES

 The aim of this article was to investigate how nursing telemedicine educational visits influence patient satisfaction.

METHODS

 Patients receiving standard of care in-person education for breast cancer radiation therapy (RT) between January 2019 and June 2019 comprised the preintervention cohort. After July 2019, patients received the same information virtually and represented the postintervention cohort. Press Ganey surveys were used to evaluate patient satisfaction, t tests were performed to differentiate satisfaction scores, and f tests were calculated to determine differences in the variances of response.

FINDINGS

 Patient satisfaction increased in the postintervention cohort for what to expect during RT, how to manage side effects, and nurses' attentiveness to patient questions and worries. There was decreased variance in patient satisfaction in the postintervention group for quality of care received from nurses and caring manner of nurses.

Breast Cancer Survivors' Satisfaction and Information Recall of Telehealth Survivorship Care Plan Appointments During the COVID-19 Pandemic

OBJECTIVES

To examine patient satisfaction and information recall after telehealth breast cancer survivorship visits with a nurse practitioner.

SAMPLE & SETTING

Female survivors of breast cancer after their first visit with a nurse practitioner in the outpatient survivorship clinic post-treatment.

METHODS & VARIABLES

Participants included female survivors who were originally diagnosed with stage 0-III breast cancer and have since completed an initial telehealth appointment to review the survivorship care plan. Survivors were invited to complete a 20-question electronic survey about their satisfaction and recall of visit information.

RESULTS

62 participants completed the survey and indicated an overall high level of satisfaction with telehealth survivorship appointments. Most recalled key survivorship information from the visit and felt the appropriate amount of information was discussed. Overall satisfaction was significantly correlated with the length and convenience of the appointment, and the personal manner and technical skills of the nurse practitioner. Survivors' age was not associated with significant differences in overall satisfaction.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

Telehealth for initial survivorship visits demonstrated high satisfaction with telehealth and the overall visit as a low-cost intervention to treat symptoms.

eHealth Education: Methods to Enhance Oncology Nurse, Patient, and Caregiver Teaching

BACKGROUND

eHealth can enhance the delivery of clinical cancer care by offering unique education opportunities for oncology nurses, patients, and family caregivers throughout the cancer trajectory.

OBJECTIVES

This article reviews eHealth technology that can be applied to oncology education, such as mobile health applications, text messaging, web-based education, and audio- and videoconferencing.

METHODS

Case studies provide exemplars of eHealth technologies used for delivering oncology education to nurses, patients, and caregivers.

FINDINGS

By using eHealth technologies to obtain and provide education, oncology nurses are well positioned to improve the lives of patients and caregivers.

Telehealth Training Is Essential to Care for Underserved Populations: a Medical Student Perspective

Telehealth is an area of medicine which has magnified the ability to treat patients remotely. Presently the education of medical professionals pertaining to the value, use, and implementation of telehealth is not adequate to harness the potential of available technologies. Patients engaging in telehealth experience time and cost savings, improved disease management through remote monitoring programs, and high-quality care regardless of geographic location. Despite this, medical education has been slow to evolve. It is therefore imperative that medical curricula incorporate training for this rapidly advancing mode of healthcare delivery to enable students to best care for their future patient population.