Predictors of a Preference for Telemedicine Virtual Visits in Patients Undergoing Cancer Rehabilitation.
Amy H Ng, Jegy Tennison, Jack B Fu and 3 others
PMID 38529616WHAT IT FOUND
Patients closer to the cancer center, those with solid tumors, and non-White patients preferred virtual visits.
Age showed a small association in raw data but not after adjusting for other factors. Offering both virtual and in-person options best served this population.
Key findings
01Patients living within 296 miles were more likely to prefer virtual visits than those living farther away.
02Asian, Black/African American, and Other Race patients were more likely to use virtual visits than White patients.
03Patients with solid tumors were more likely to use virtual visits than those with hematological cancers.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The study population was predominantly White (72.3%) and from a single tertiary cancer center, limiting generalizability to other settings or demographics. Virtual visits were only audio and video; audio-only options were restricted after the first five months, which may have influenced patient preference. The study did not measure patient satisfaction, clinical outcomes, or the quality of care received during virtual versus in-person visits. Distance was calculated by zip code, which may not accurately reflect individual travel barriers or access to transportation.
Declared interests
The authors declared no competing interests.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that virtual visits are clinically equivalent to in-person care. This study only measured patient preference and visit type, not rehabilitation outcomes, quality of care, or the effectiveness of the physical examination in a virtual setting.