Oncologist and General Practitioner Perspectives of Telehealth-Delivered Colorectal Cancer Survivorship Care

Telehealth for follow-up of survivors of colorectal cancer (CRC) represents an opportunity to reduce health resource use and provide flexibility for patients and healthcare providers (HCPs). Understanding the perspectives of HCPs who have delivered telehealth-based CRC survivorship care is critical in determining whether this is an acceptable and appropriate model.

To examine the experiences of oncologists and general practitioners (GPs) who provided telehealth for CRC survivors within the Shared Care for Colorectal Cancer (SCORE) trial, focusing on implementation outcomes and perceived facilitators and barriers to implementation.

This qualitative descriptive study involved semi-structured interviews. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed, and data analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.

Twenty-three HCPs (13 GPs, 10 oncologists) participated. Seven themes were identified: (1) forced adoption and rapid implementation of telehealth during COVID; (2) patient benefits of convenience and safety; (3) patient factors that determine appropriateness for telehealth; (4) clinical factors that preclude telehealth; (5) HCP preferences and views on quality of care; (6) technical and administrative barriers; and (7) training, technology, administrative support and reimbursement to support future telehealth use. Telehealth was considered acceptable for routine CRC follow-up care, however required judicious use. Challenges were identified regarding technology, logistical and administrative processes, and the potential for disparities in telehealth access.

This study supports the use of telehealth for the provision of CRC survivorship care, provided that certain patient-related and clinical characteristics are met. Future research may address decision making for telehealth use and understanding and mitigating disparities in access.

The Shared Care for Colorectal Cancer (SCORE) Trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12617000004369p. Registered on 3 January 2017; protocol version 4 approved 24 February 2017.