RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Telemedicine for outpatient palliative care during COVID-19 pandemics: a longitudinal study
JF BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care
JO BMJ Support Palliat Care
FD British Medical Journal Publishing Group
SP bmjspcare-2022-003585
DO 10.1136/bmjspcare-2022-003585
A1 Caraceni, Augusto
A1 Pellegrini, Chiara
A1 Shkodra, Morena
A1 Zecca, Ernesto
A1 Bracchi, Paola
A1 Lo Dico, Silvia
A1 Caputo, Mariangela
A1 Zappata, Simonetta
A1 Zito, Emanuela
A1 Brunelli, Cinzia
YR 2022
UL http://spcare.bmj.com/content/early/2022/06/15/bmjspcare-2022-003585.abstract
AB Objectives During the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine (TM) emerged as an important mean to reduce risks of transmission, yet delivering the necessary care to patients. Our aim was to evaluate feasibility, characteristics and satisfaction for a TM service based on phone/video consultations for patients with cancer attending an outpatient palliative care clinic during COVID-19 pandemics.Methods A longitudinal observational study was conducted from April to December 2020. Consecutive patients were screened for video consultations feasibility. Either patients or their caregivers received video/phone consultations registering reason and intervention performed. Those contacted at least twice were eligible for experience of care assessment.Results Video consultations were feasible in 282 of 572 screened patients (49%, 95% CI 45% to 52%); 112 patients among the 572 had at least two phone/video consultations and 12 of them had one or more video consultations. Consultations were carried out with patients (56%), caregivers (30%) or both (14%). 63% of the consultations were requested by the patients/caregivers. Reasons for consultation included uncontrolled (66%) or new symptom onset (20%), therapy clarifications (37%) and updates on diagnostic tests (28%). Most interventions were therapy modifications (70%) and appointments’ rescheduling (51%). 49 patients and 19 caregivers were interviewed, reporting good care experience (average of 1–5 satisfaction score of 3.9 and 4.2, respectively). The majority (83% and 84%) declared they would use TM after the pandemics.Conclusions Although feasibility is still limited for some patients, TM can be a satisfactory alternative to in-person visits for palliative care patients in need of limiting access to the hospital.Data are available on reasonable request.