The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) Telehealth Project was developed to gain insights from participants regarding telehealth experience in oncology. A diverse group of 29 participants, which included cancer patients or survivors, were recruited to participate in six focus groups, conducted in May and June 2020. A total of 31 providers also participated by providing feedback in August 2020 regarding areas of agreement or disagreement with patient responses.
Goals:
Develop and disseminate policy recommendations from a patient perspective and engage in policy advocacy.
Responding providers reported feedback about their personal telehealth experiences, in which the majority suggested presenting patients the choice of telehealth visits or in-person visits.
Of the responding providers, approximately 50% offered a few telehealth visits before the pandemic, and all suggested to provide telehealth visits following the pandemic. They overwhelmingly noted that video-based telehealth visits are more effective than phone-based visits, despite technology challenges.
Of all factors presented to continue telehealth visits, the most important enabling factors include maintaining reimbursement equivalent to in-person visits, interstate practice, and prescribing controlled substances.
