Moving Forward With Telehealth in Cancer Rehabilitation: Patient Perspectives From a Mixed Methods Study

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Digital Health
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated telehealth adoption in cancer care.
• Telehealth offers potential for vital rehabilitation services for cancer survivors.
• Patients experience side effects from cancer and its treatments, necessitating rehabilitation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore patient experiences with telehealth in cancer rehabilitation.
• To understand patient preferences for telehealth in cancer rehabilitation services.
• To inform the development of future telehealth cancer rehabilitation services.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods study conducted in two phases (October 2020 - November 2021).
• Phase 1: Anonymous web- and paper-based survey distributed to cancer survivors in Ireland.
• Phase 2: Semi-structured interviews conducted via telephone or video call, followed by reflexive thematic analysis.

Main Results:

• 31 out of 48 participants (65%) reported using telehealth since the pandemic began.
• 90% of participants expressed willingness for web-based cancer rehabilitation.
• Key themes identified include accessibility, benefits, the value of in-person care, and the evolving role of telehealth.

Conclusions:

• Telehealth is generally accepted for cancer rehabilitation in Ireland.
• Acknowledging accessibility issues and the importance of in-person care is crucial.
• Telehealth offers patient-centered benefits like convenience and cost savings when used appropriately.