How Telehealth Visits Can Help Support You During Cancer
If you’ve been treated for cancer, you know it can be hard to juggle the many appointments and clinic visits that are needed. This is especially difficult if you don’t live near your treatment center.
In recent years, virtual visits with doctors and care teams have become more widely available. These telehealth visits are often a more convenient option for people with cancer, but are there other benefits?
A recent study published in JAMA explored whether getting telehealth visits, rather than in-person visits, affects the quality of life in people with advanced lung cancer who are receiving palliative care.
The study showed that symptom management through telehealth is as effective as in-person care. After 24 weeks, the groups reported similar quality of life. The groups were also equally satisfied with their care. Between the two groups, there were no differences reported in:
- Patient coping
- Patient or caregiver satisfaction with care
- Mood symptoms
“Many primary oncology teams and palliative care teams use telehealth services to help patients in minimizing their symptoms from cancer and cancer treatment. Depending on the symptoms and the treatment plan, a check-in via telehealth can be extremely helpful,” said Dr. Biren Saraiya, MD, an American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) expert and oncologist at Rutgers Cancer Institute in New Jersey.
What is telehealth?
Telehealth and telemedicine are terms used to describe health-related care that is delivered remotely rather than in person. You may also hear it referred to as virtual care, e-health, remote or online care, teleconsultation, digital health, telecare, or teletherapy.
During a telehealth visit, you meet with your health care provider (doctor, nurse, therapist, etc.) through a secure online platform. Some health care facilities might use a platform that’s available through their online patient portal, which others might use a platform such as Zoom. The platforms include live video chat, so you and your provider can talk to and see each other in real time. The platform may also have a way to send messages, documents, and images to you.
The benefits of receiving cancer care via telehealth
Telehealth has many benefits for people with cancer. These include:
- Flexibility for people who have time constraints due to work and family responsibilities
- Helping people who have a hard time finding transportation to and from visits
- Reducing the costs and time associated with travel to office or clinic
- Reducing the risk of being exposed to crowds and germs when you may have a weakened immune system
“Through virtual visits, patients can discuss symptoms such as pain, fatigue, nausea, or emotional distress with their health care providers. Providers can adjust medications or recommend lifestyle changes. Or, they can refer patients to supportive care services like nutrition counseling or psychological support. Telehealth also enables more frequent monitoring and personalized care, ensuring that symptoms are managed promptly without the need for in-person visits,” said Cristiane Bergerot, PhD, MS, BS, an ASCO expert and Supportive Care at Oncoclinicas&Co in Brazil.
Not all providers offer telehealth as an option, so check with your cancer care team to find out what visit types are available. Also, remember in some cases, or for certain problems you might be having, a face-to-face visit may still be required.
Preparing for your telehealth visit
To prepare for a telehealth visit, Dr. Bergerot recommends people have all the information they need before an appointment. This includes:
- A list of symptoms. Note any new or worsening symptoms. Be sure to include when they started and what makes them better or worse.
- A list of current medications, allergies, and past treatments.
- A list of questions about managing symptoms, treatment options, and follow-up care.
Before starting your visit, choose a quiet, well-lit room. You'll need a reliable internet connection for the appointment. You can use a smartphone, tablet, or computer for your telehealth visit. Make sure your device’s microphone and camera are working properly.
Learn More
Learn more about cancer treatment from the American Cancer Society:
- Managing Cancer-related Side Effects
- Survivorship: During and After Treatment
- Road to Recovery: Free Rides to Treatment
Downloadable Tracking Tools:
Dr. Bergerot and Dr. Saraiya are members of ASCO’s Patient Information Editorial Board.