Patient Perception of Telehealth Services for Breast and Gynecologic Oncology Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Single Center Survey-based Study
Brittney S. Zimmerman, Danielle Seidman, Natalie Berger, Krystal Cascetta, Michelle D. Nezolosky, Kara Trlica, Alisa Ryncarz, Caitlin Keeton, Erin Moshier, Amy Tiersten
Abstract
Prior to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, telehealth was rarely utilized for oncologic care in metropolitan areas. Our large New York City based outpatient breast/gynecologic cancer clinic administered an 18-question survey to patients from March to June 2020, to assess the perceptions of the utility of telehealth medicine. Of the 622 patients, 215 (35%) completed the survey, and of the 215 respondents, 74 (35%) had participated in a telehealth visit. We evaluated the use of telehealth services using the validated Service User Technology Acceptability Questionnaire. Sixty-eight patients (92%) reported that telehealth services saved them time, 54 (73%) reported telehealth increased access to care, and 58 (82%) reported telehealth improved their health. Overall, 67 (92%) of patients expressed satisfaction with the use of telehealth services for oncologic care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Telehealth services should be carefully adopted as an addition to in-person clinical care of patients with cancer.