Telehealth Use in Oncology: Provider Perspectives on Video Visits

Authors

Arianna Heyer, MD/MPH(c), Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
Kristin Rising, MD, MSHP, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
Rosemary Frasso, PhD, CPH, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
Rachel Granberg, MD, MPH`, Thomas Jefferson University
Adam Binder, MD, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
Nathan Handley, MD, MBA, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
Alexzandra Gentsch, MSW, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow

Document Type

Presentation

Publication Date

6-19-2020

Comments

Presentation: 6:08

Poster included as attachment below.

Abstract

Telehealth is increasingly used to improve healthcare access, cost, experience, and effectiveness. These public health issues are especially challenging for patients with cancer. Despite these advantages, telehealth use in oncology is uncommon nationally and provider perceptions regarding the benefits and barriers to its uptake are not well understood. We completed a qualitative study evaluating oncology providers’ perceptions of video visits at an institution with a system-wide telehealth program.

We performed semi-structured interviews with oncology providers at Thomas Jefferson University (TJU) to assess current use, perceived barriers to use, and perceptions of telehealth impact on access, cost, experience, and effectiveness. All interviews were transcribed, and coded using a team-developed codebook. Intercoder reliability was assessed by the κ coefficient. Themes and subthemes emerged via directed content analysis.

29 providers (20 oncologists and 9 advanced practice providers) were interviewed, 26 of whom utilized video visits. Most viewed video visits favorably. Key perceived benefits included increased patient convenience and interactions, and the option to have multi-person visits. Patient access to technology, patient and provider comfort with video visits, provider licensing issues, and lack of physical exam capability were key perceived barriers. Providers had starkly differing opinions on the reliability of video visit technology, integration of telehealth in their work routine, administrative assistance, and effects on patient cost.

Telehealth is generally viewed favorably by oncology providers within a system with widespread telehealth. There are several perceived barriers, most pertaining to logistics and knowledge limitations, which should be addressed to support increased telehealth uptake.

Recommended Citation

Heyer, MD/MPH(c), Arianna; Rising, MD, MSHP, Kristin; Frasso, PhD, CPH, Rosemary; Granberg, MD, MPH`, Rachel; Binder, MD, Adam; Handley, MD, MBA, Nathan; and Gentsch, MSW, Alexzandra, "Telehealth Use in Oncology: Provider Perspectives on Video Visits" (2020). Master of Public Health Capstone Presentations. Presentation 327.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/mphcapstone_presentation/327

Language

English