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Haemmerle R, Paludo J, Haddad TC, Pritchett JC. The Growing Role of Digital Health Tools in the Care of Patients with Cancer: Current Use, Future Opportunities, and Barriers to Effective Implementation. Curr Oncol Rep 2024; 26:593-600. [PMID: 38652424 DOI: 10.1007/s11912-024-01534-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This article aims to describe the ways in which digital health technologies are currently being used to improve the delivery of cancer care, highlight opportunities to expand their use, and discuss barriers to effective and equitable implementation. RECENT FINDINGS The utilization of digital health tools and development of novel care delivery models that leverage such tools is expanding. Recent studies have shown feasibility and increased implementation in the setting of oncologic care. With technological advances and key policy changes, utilization of digital health tools has greatly increased over the past two decades and transformed how cancer care is delivered. As digital health tools are expanded and refined, there is potential for improved access to and quality and efficiency of cancer care. However, careful consideration should be given to key barriers of digital health tool adoption, such as infrastructural, patient-level, and health systems-level challenges, to ensure equitable access to care and improvement in health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jonas Paludo
- Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Tufia C Haddad
- Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Center for Digital Health, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, USA
| | - Joshua C Pritchett
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
- Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
- Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
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Ternes S, Lavin L, Vakkalanka JP, Healy HS, Merchant KA, Ward MM, Mohr NM. The role of increasing synchronous telehealth use during the COVID-19 pandemic on disparities in access to healthcare: A systematic review. J Telemed Telecare 2024:1357633X241245459. [PMID: 38646804 DOI: 10.1177/1357633x241245459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The COVID-19 public health emergency led to an unprecedented rapid increase in telehealth use, but the role of telehealth in reducing disparities in access to care has been questioned. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review to summarize the available evidence on how telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with telehealth utilization for minority groups and its role in health disparities. METHODS We conducted a systematic review focused on health equity and access to care by searching for interventional and observational studies using the following four search domains: telehealth, COVID-19, health equity, and access to care. We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, CINAHL, telehealth.hhs.gov, and the Rural Health Research Gateway, and included any study that reported quantitative results with a control group. RESULTS Our initial search yielded 1970 studies, and we included 48 in our final review. The most common dimensions of health equity studied were race/ethnicity, rurality, insurance status, language, and socioeconomic status, and the telehealth applications studied were diverse. Included studies had a moderate risk of bias. In aggregate, most studies reported increased telehealth use during the pandemic, with the greatest increase in non-minority populations, including White, younger, English-speaking people from urban areas. DISCUSSION We found that despite rapid adoption and increased telehealth use during the public health emergency, telehealth did not reduce existing disparities in access to care. We recommend that future work measuring the impact of telehealth focus on equity so that features of telehealth innovation can reduce disparities in health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Ternes
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Lauren Lavin
- Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - J Priyanka Vakkalanka
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Heather S Healy
- Hardin Library for the Health Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Kimberly As Merchant
- Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Marcia M Ward
- Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Nicholas M Mohr
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Anesthesia Critical Care, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
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Cathcart-Rake EJ, Tevaarwerk AJ, Haddad TC, D'Andre SD, Ruddy KJ. Advances in the care of breast cancer survivors. BMJ 2023; 382:e071565. [PMID: 37722731 DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2022-071565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer survivors may experience significant after effects from diagnoses of breast cancer and cancer directed therapies. This review synthesizes the evidence about optimal management of the sequelae of a diagnosis of breast cancer. It describes the side effects of chemotherapy and endocrine therapy and evidence based strategies for management of such effects, with particular attention to effects of therapies with curative intent. It includes strategies to promote health and wellness among breast cancer survivors, along with data to support the use of integrative oncology strategies. In addition, this review examines models of survivorship care and ways in which digital tools may facilitate communication between clinicians and patients. The strategies outlined in this review are paramount to supporting breast cancer survivors' quality of life.
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Pritchett JC, Borah BJ, Dholakia R, Moriarty JP, Ahn HH, Huang M, Khera N, Wilshusen L, Dronca RS, Ticku J, Leppin AL, Tilburt JC, Paludo J, Haddad TC. Patient- and Provider-Level Factors Associated With Telehealth Utilization Across a Multisite, Multiregional Cancer Practice From 2019 to 2021. JCO Oncol Pract 2023; 19:750-758. [PMID: 37335959 PMCID: PMC10538894 DOI: 10.1200/op.23.00118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many cancer practices rapidly adopted telehealth services. However, there is a paucity of data regarding ongoing telehealth visit utilization beyond this initial response. The purpose of this study was to assess changes in variables associated with telehealth visit utilization over time. METHODS This is a cross-sectional, year-over-year, retrospective analysis of telehealth visits conducted across a multisite, multiregional cancer practice in the United States. Multivariable models examined the association of patient- and provider-level variables with telehealth utilization across outpatient visits conducted over three 8-week periods from July to August in 2019 (n = 32,537), 2020 (n = 33,399), and 2021 (n = 35,820). RESULTS The rate of telehealth utilization increased from <0.01% (2019) to 11% (2020) to 14% (2021). The most significant patient-level factors associated with increased telehealth utilization included nonrural residence and age ≤65 years. Among patients residing in rural settings, video visit utilization rates were significantly lower and phone visit utilization rates were significantly higher compared with patients from nonrural residences. Regarding provider-level factors, widening differences in telehealth utilization were observed at tertiary versus community-based practice settings. Increased telehealth utilization was not associated with duplicative care as per-patient and per-physician visit volumes in 2021 remained consistent with prepandemic levels. CONCLUSION We observed continuous expansion in telehealth visit utilization from 2020 to 2021. Our experiences suggest that telehealth can be integrated into cancer practices without evidence of duplicative care. Future work should examine sustainable reimbursement structures and policies to ensure accessibility of telehealth as a means to facilitate equitable, patient-centered cancer care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua C. Pritchett
- Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Bijan J. Borah
- Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Ruchita Dholakia
- Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - James P. Moriarty
- Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Hannah H. Ahn
- Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Ming Huang
- Department of AI and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Nandita Khera
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ
| | | | | | | | - Aaron L. Leppin
- Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- Deceased
| | | | - Jonas Paludo
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Tufia C. Haddad
- Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- Center for Digital Health, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
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Pritchett JC, Patt D, Thanarajasingam G, Schuster A, Snyder C. Patient-Reported Outcomes, Digital Health, and the Quest to Improve Health Equity. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book 2023; 43:e390678. [PMID: 37290027 DOI: 10.1200/edbk_390678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The theme of the 2023 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting is Partnering With Patients: The Cornerstone of Cancer Care and Research. As we aim to partner with patients to improve their health care, digital tools have the potential to enhance patient-centered cancer care and make clinical research more accessible and generalizable. Using electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs) to collect patients' reports of symptoms, functioning, and well-being facilitates patient-clinician communication and improves care and outcomes. Early studies suggest that racial and ethnic minority populations, older patients, and patients with less education may benefit even more from ePRO implementation. Clinical practices looking to implement ePROs can refer to the resources of the PROTEUS Consortium (Patient-Reported Outcomes Tools: Engaging Users & Stakeholders). Beyond ePROs, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, cancer practices have rapidly adopted other digital tools (eg, telemedicine, remote patient monitoring). As implementation grows, we must be aware of the limitations of these tools and implement them in ways to promote optimal function, access, and ease of use. Infrastructure, patient, provider, and system-level barriers need to be addressed. Partnerships across all levels can inform development and implementation of digital tools to meet the needs of diverse groups. In this article, we describe how we use ePROs and other digital health tools in cancer care, how digital tools can expand access to and generalizability of oncology care and research, and prospects for broader implementation and use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua C Pritchett
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Debra Patt
- Texas Oncology, Dallas Texas and Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
| | | | - Anne Schuster
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH
| | - Claire Snyder
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD
- Department of Health Policy & Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
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Mackwood M, Butcher R, Vaclavik D, Alford-Teaster JA, Curtis KM, Lowry M, Tosteson TD, Zhao W, Tosteson ANA. Adoption of Telemedicine in a Rural US Cancer Center Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: Qualitative Study. JMIR Cancer 2022; 8:e33768. [PMID: 35895904 PMCID: PMC9384858 DOI: 10.2196/33768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a rapid shift to telemedicine to minimize patient and provider exposure risks. While telemedicine has been used in a variety of primary and specialty care settings for many years, it has been slow to be adopted in oncology care. Health care provider and administrator perspectives on factors affecting telemedicine use in oncology settings are not well understood, and the conditions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic offered the opportunity to study the adoption of telemedicine and the resulting provider and staff perspectives on its use. OBJECTIVE The aim of this paper is to study the factors that influenced telemedicine uptake and sustained use in outpatient oncology clinics at a US cancer center to inform future telemedicine practices. METHODS We used purposive sampling to recruit a mix of oncology specialty providers, practice managers, as well as nursing and administrative staff representing 5 outpatient oncology clinics affiliated with the Dartmouth Cancer Center, a large regional cancer center in the northeast of United States, to participate in semistructured interviews conducted over 6 weeks in spring 2021. The interview guide was informed by the 5 domains of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, which include inner and outer setting factors, characteristics of the intervention (ie, telemedicine modality), individual-level factors (eg, provider and patient characteristics), and implementation processes. In total, 11 providers, 3 leaders, and 6 staff participated following verbal consent, and thematic saturation was reached across the full sample. We used a mixed deductive and inductive qualitative analysis approach to study the main influences on telemedicine uptake, implementation, and sustainability during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic across the 5 settings. RESULTS The predominant influencers of telemedicine adoption in this study were individual provider experiences and assumptions about patient preference and accessibility. Providers' early telemedicine experiences, especially if negative, influenced preferences for telephone over video and affected sustained use. Telemedicine was most favorably viewed for lower-acuity cancer care, visits less dependent on physical exam, and for patient and caregiver education. A lack of clinical champions, leadership guidance, and vision hindered the implementation of standardized practices and were cited as essential for telemedicine sustainability. Respondents expressed anxiety about sustaining telemedicine use if reimbursements for telephonic visits diminished or ceased. Opportunities to enhance future efforts include a need to provide additional guidance supporting telemedicine use cases and evidence of effectiveness in oncology care and to address provider concerns with communication quality. CONCLUSIONS In a setting of decentralized care processes, early challenges in telemedicine implementation had an outsized impact on the nature and amount of sustained use. Proactively designed telemedicine care processes with attention to patient needs will be essential to support a sustained role for telemedicine in cancer care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Mackwood
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, United States
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, United States
- Connected Care, Dartmouth Health, Lebanon, NH, United States
| | - Rebecca Butcher
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, United States
- Center for Program Design and Evaluation, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, United States
| | - Danielle Vaclavik
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, United States
- Center for Program Design and Evaluation, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, United States
| | | | - Kevin M Curtis
- Connected Care, Dartmouth Health, Lebanon, NH, United States
| | - Mary Lowry
- Connected Care, Dartmouth Health, Lebanon, NH, United States
| | - Tor D Tosteson
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, United States
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, United States
- Dartmouth Cancer Center, Dartmouth Health, Lebanon, NH, United States
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, United States
| | - Wenyan Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, United States
| | - Anna N A Tosteson
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, United States
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, United States
- Dartmouth Cancer Center, Dartmouth Health, Lebanon, NH, United States
- Department of Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, United States
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