Trends in Telemedicine at a Cancer Center: Analyzing Sustained Use

Telemedicine at a comprehensive cancer center evolved in the late-COVID-19 steady-state period. We retrospectively analyzed 3,761,467 ambulatory visits (2021-2024); 1,104,526 (29.4%) were telemedicine. Telemedicine's share declined from 33.1% in 2021 to 25.8% in 2024. Medicine services decreased from 35.7% to 28.4%, while Surgery rose from 13.5% to 15.1%. Adoption varied by service: Clinical Genetics (96.1%), Hematology (89.3%), Endocrinology (74.8%), and Infectious Disease (68.2%) remained high; Dermatology (4.9%) and Dental Surgery (0.1%) were low. Among surgical specialties, Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery reached 41.6% (+14.4 points vs 2021). These findings indicate a durable hybrid care model, with sustained telemedicine in consultation-heavy services and limited use where examinations or procedures predominate. Factors influencing sustained use may include clinical appropriateness, and patient and clinician preferences. Results can inform digital health strategy, space planning, and policy decisions as national telehealth flexibilities evolve.