Telehealth can be just as effective as in-person visits when it comes to palliative care.
Researchers found that early palliative care via telehealth often improves quality of life for patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at a level equivalent to in-person care, according to a study presented at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting. The American Journal of Managed Care (ALMC) first reported the results.
“These study findings add critical evidence to support access to telehealth services, especially to vulnerable populations with serious illness, and will ideally inform policy decisions regarding the role and coverage of virtual care in the future,” Joseph Greer, co-director of the Cancer Outcomes Research & Education Program at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and associate professor of psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, said at the conference.
Clinicians discussed similar issues with patients and families regardless of whether care was delivered virtually or in-person, including establishing a rapport, identifying symptoms and grading symptom management, as well as assessment of psychosocial needs associated with serious illness, AJMC reported.
Researchers enrolled 1,250 patients with advanced NSCLC in the study, which took place between June 2018 and May 2023. Quality-of-life assessments were done using a tool called the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lung.
Participating patients had been diagnosed within the 12 weeks prior to their enrollment. They met every four weeks with a palliative care clinician either in a clinic or via video conferencing. Quality-of-life scores were comparable among both groups.
