Perceptions of telehealth in real-world oncological care: An exploration of matched patient- and clinician-reported acceptability data from an Australian cancer centre

Abstract

Background: Prior to 2020, the use of telehealth in cancer care was limited, but COVID-19 necessitated its rapid and widespread adoption into routine care delivery. This study aimed to evaluate perceptions of telehealth through a dyadic exploration of matched cancer patient- and clinician-reported acceptability data and to explore factors that may predict greater suitability for telehealth. Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional, exploratory survey study assessed (matched) patient- and clinician-reported perceptions of telehealth consultations occurring at a metropolitan, tertiary-based cancer centre in Victoria, Australia. Results: One-hundred and fifty-five matched patient- and clinician-reported data were included. High rates of acceptability with telehealth were reported by patients (93%) and clinicians (91%), who mostly shared concordant views (86%). Factors significantly associated with increased acceptability for telehealth, included, for clinicians, greater familiarity with the patient (OR 8.20, 95% CI: 1.50–45.06, p = 0.02), and younger patient age (OR 1.06, 95% CI: 0.99–1.13, p = 0.05), and for patients was earlier stage disease (≤stage III) (OR 5.29, 95% CI: 1.08–25.82, p = 0.04). Lower acceptability for telehealth according to clinicians was associated with poorer patient performance status (OR 0.04, 95% CI 1.00–1.08, p = 0.04) and for patients with the need for an interpreter (0R 0.06, 95% CI: 0.008–0.51, p = 0.009). Conclusion: While overall telehealth is acceptable in cancer care, our findings raise important implications for future service development, notably that it may be less optimal for patients with higher complexity of need—including those with more advanced disease, poorer performance status, those less well known to treating clinicians and those identified to have additional language barriers.