1.1 Background:
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, telemedicine was only used to deliver health care to patients living in remote areas of Australia. However, the spread of the Covid-19 virus pushed the widespread uptake of telemedicine across Australia, including in metropolitan regions. This qualitative study will explore the medical oncology (MO) patient and clinician experience of telemedicine in a metropolitan setting as a result of Covid-19.
1.2 Method:
Participants were selected from a homogenous pool of MO clinicians and patients attending the Nelune Comprehensive Cancer Centre. Data was collected by flexible semi-structured interviews guided by an interview protocol (IP). The IP consisted of open ended themes such as the experience of telemedicine, barriers to access telemedicine and suggestions to improve the service. The interview transcripts data were qualitatively analysed by the 4 authors using the interpretative phenomenological analysis methodology.
1.3 Results:
Fourteen participants were recruited to the study (9 clinicians and 5 patients) . Most participants viewed the adoption of telemedicine positively because it was considered as convenient, efficient and could be used in order to reduce the spread of Covid-19. Nonetheless, participants complained about the poor implementation of telemedicine, technical difficulties and lack of proper training. Finally, providers expressed mixed views over the lack of personal interaction and the lack of physical examination from telemedicine. However, both clinicians and patients viewed telemedicine as acceptable to be used in the context of routine follow-ups.
1.4 Conclusion:
Although some operational improvements are necessary, the role of telemedicine in the follow up of MO patients seems likely to continue beyond Covid-19.