Survey on the practice of medical teleconsultation in oncology in Auvergne Rhône Alpes

Bull Cancer. 2022 Aug 19:S0007-4551(22)00265-X. doi: 10.1016/j.bulcan.2022.05.013. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

RATIONAL: Teleconsultation (TLC) practice, which suddenly arrived in the cancer patients care, has experienced an undeniable quantitative boom given the health context. A quantitative and qualitative assessment of this practice now seems necessary. This study aims to describe the use of TLC by oncologists in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region during the pandemic in order to assess its advantages and limits, and to estimate the barriers encountered and the possible levers for its promotion in oncology.

METHOD: The use of TLC in daily medical practice was evaluated using a descriptive observational survey from October to December 2021. Health's professionals were invited to answer an online survey composed of around thirty questions.

RESULTS: Of the 200 oncologists contacted, 72 took part in the survey. Among them, 64 have already made at least one TLC. TLCs represented 25 % of consultations during the confinement period. New cancer patients, the fact of not seeing the patient physically and the absence of the possibility of carrying out a physical examination are the 3 main obstacles to TLC. The mastery of computer tools is one of the main levers. All cancer patients appear eligible for TLC ; the professionals surveyed prefer this solution for certain socio-demographic and medical characteristics of the patients (the fact of living far from the cancer centre, of having a stable clinical situation, of being under surveillance or being treated with oral anti-cancer drugs…). Despite a median level of satisfaction of 63 % estimated by doctors, less than 10 % of medical consultations are currently kept in TLC.

CONCLUSION: TLC is now an integrated practice in oncology but seems more relevant for a specific patient profile and clinical situation. In addition, technical and training constraints still limit its use in clinical practice today.

PMID:35995614 | DOI:10.1016/j.bulcan.2022.05.013