Using Telemedicine to Care for Patients with Breast Cancer: A Natural Quasi-Experimental Study

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Health Services Research
• Digital Health

Background:

• Telemedicine has emerged as a crucial tool in healthcare delivery, particularly in resource-limited settings.
• Assessing the clinical impact of telemedicine on specific cancer patient populations is essential for optimizing care models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of breast cancer patients receiving care through telemedicine in a low-income country.
• To compare the effectiveness of a hybrid telemedicine and in-person care model versus traditional in-person care.

Main Methods:

• A natural experimental study design was employed, comparing a hybrid group (telemedicine + face-to-face) with a physical group (face-to-face only).
• Data from 3,205 breast cancer patients at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust, Pakistan (2018-2022) were analyzed.
• Logistic regression identified factors influencing patient outcomes, including disease relapse, COVID-19 infection, and age.

Main Results:

• Significant differences were noted between groups in age, demographics, disease stage, ER visits, ICU stay, and patient status.
• However, the study found that patient outcomes were primarily associated with disease relapse, COVID-19 infection, and age, not the care delivery model.
• The hybrid telemedicine model demonstrated comparable safety and clinical impact to solely in-person care.

Conclusions:

• Telemedicine, when used in parallel with physical clinics (hybrid setup), is a safe and clinically impactful approach for breast cancer patients in low-income countries.
• This model offers a viable strategy to enhance cancer care accessibility and delivery in resource-constrained environments.
• Further research should explore long-term outcomes and cost-effectiveness of hybrid care models.