Telehealth: Reducing or increasing cancer care disparities?

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1582-1582
Author(s):  
Patricia Jewett ◽  
Rachel I. Vogel ◽  
Rahel G. Ghebre ◽  
Arpit Rao ◽  
Jane Yuet Ching Hui ◽  
...  

1582 Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, most cancer care in the United States transitioned to telehealth (phone or video visits) to reduce infection risks for patients and providers. Telehealth may simplify care logistics (e.g. reduce travel and waiting times), but it may also unintentionally exacerbate existing disparities in healthcare utilization by race/ethnicity, age, or rural/urban status. As telehealth will likely continue long-term, we examined telehealth use at a comprehensive cancer center during the COVID-19 pandemic across patient populations with established disparities in cancer treatment and outcomes. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed telehealth visits from March until December 2020 among individuals diagnosed with cancer at the University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center (MCC). We used Chi-squared tests and GEE logistic regression to compare video vs. phone visits by age, urban/rural status, and race/ethnicity (American Indian / American Native [AIAN], Asian, Non-Hispanic Black/African American [NH Black/AA], Hispanic, Multiple, Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander [NHPI], NH White). Results: Over the study period, 42,171 telehealth visits were performed with 11,097 patients at the MCC. Patients had a mean age of 62.7±13.9 years; 59.2% were female; 88.7% lived in urban areas; 90.0% of patients were NH White, 4.4% NH Black/AA, 3.0% Asian, 1.5% Hispanic, 0.8% AIAN, 0.3% of multiple races, and 0.1% NHPI. The most common cancer sites were breast (24.1%), hematological (21.0%), gynecologic (10.0%), and lung (8.4%). NH White individuals were more likely (53.9%) to use video than AIAN (39.7%), Black/AA (37.8%), or NHPI individuals (34.9%). Video use was less common among rural (45.3%) than urban (53.7%; p<.0001) residents, and among individuals aged 65 or older (45.2%) vs. younger than 65 (59.5%; p<.0001). In a logistic regression, adjusted for continuous age and urban/rural status, all race/ethnic groups except Multiple were less likely to use video than NH White individuals (vs. phone; Table). Conclusions: Our findings underscore disparities in telehealth use for cancer care across historically underserved populations. Future research should evaluate potential underlying contributors to these disparities such as technology access, internet capability, and fear of discrimination. Additional research is also needed to determine whether video vs. phone visits affect cancer outcomes, therefore indicating true disparity.[Table: see text]

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 68-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jivesh J. Sharma ◽  
Gary Gross ◽  
Poonam Sharma

Abstracts Purpose: For patients in rural Texas, accessing cancer specialists is quite challenging. Texas has many remote areas without community-based cancer care, requiring patients to travel long distances for specialized cancer professional consultations and services. An anticipated shortage of medical oncology expertise will exacerbate this situation. The advent of telemedicine tools has created an opportunity to easily extend specialized cancer services to underserved populations of patients with cancer in Texas. However, more research is needed to explore how well telemedicine tools will be accepted and used by both patients and oncologists alike. Data suggesting that teleoncology services are well accepted and liked by patients and health care professionals would provide a basis for expanding this method of delivering care. If effective, telemedicine tools could help patients with cancer in rural Texas, and throughout the United States, access the same quality of cancer care as their counterparts living in urban areas. Methods: This pilot study will compare the effectiveness and reliability of remote oncologic clinical evaluations conducted via a telemedicine application with the traditional method of onsite evaluations in a private practice setting in rural East Texas. Patient and physician satisfaction with the clinical consultations and their perceptions of the telemedicine application will be assessed using a questionnaire administered at the conclusion of the clinical meetings. Results: Initial results indicate high patient and physician satisfaction scores as well as high reliability and adequacy of the equipment and technology being used. Conclusion: Both patients and physicians are highly satisfied with the quality of teleoncology examinations and express openness to this method of delivering care.


2021 ◽  
pp. 216769682110004
Author(s):  
Ayanda Chakawa ◽  
Steven K. Shapiro

While 75% mental health problems emerge by young adulthood, there is a strong reluctance during this developmental stage to seek professional help. Although limitations in mental health literacy, such as incorrect problem recognition, may hinder professional help-seeking intentions, the relationship between these variables has been understudied among young adults in the United States (U.S.) and racial/ethnic differences in help-seeking intentions for specific disorders have not been well explored. Using a vignette-based design, the current study examines the association between psychological disorder recognition and professional help-seeking intentions among 1,585 Black/African American and White/European American young adults. Correctly identifying a psychological disorder was significantly associated with intentions to seek professional help for several disorders and race/ethnicity significantly influenced intentions to seek professional help for some disorders. Implications for ways to address unmet mental health care needs, especially among racially/ethnically diverse young adults, and directions for future research are discussed.


2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. e513-e526 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madeline Li ◽  
Alyssa Macedo ◽  
Sean Crawford ◽  
Sabira Bagha ◽  
Yvonne W. Leung ◽  
...  

Purpose: Systematic screening for distress in oncology clinics has gained increasing acceptance as a means to improve cancer care, but its implementation poses enormous challenges. We describe the development and implementation of the Distress Assessment and Response Tool (DART) program in a large urban comprehensive cancer center. Method: DART is an electronic screening tool used to detect physical and emotional distress and practical concerns and is linked to triaged interprofessional collaborative care pathways. The implementation of DART depended on clinician education, technological innovation, transparent communication, and an evaluation framework based on principles of change management and quality improvement. Results: There have been 364,378 DART surveys completed since 2010, with a sustained screening rate of > 70% for the past 3 years. High staff satisfaction, increased perception of teamwork, greater clinical attention to the psychosocial needs of patients, patient-clinician communication, and patient satisfaction with care were demonstrated without a resultant increase in referrals to specialized psychosocial services. DART is now a standard of care for all patients attending the cancer center and a quality performance indicator for the organization. Conclusion: Key factors in the success of DART implementation were the adoption of a programmatic approach, strong institutional commitment, and a primary focus on clinic-based response. We have demonstrated that large-scale routine screening for distress in a cancer center is achievable and has the potential to enhance the cancer care experience for both patients and staff.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 6594-6594
Author(s):  
Sandeep Sai Voleti ◽  
Sikander Ailawadhi ◽  
Carolyn Mead-Harvey ◽  
Rahma M. Warsame ◽  
Rafael Fonseca ◽  
...  

6594 Background: Patient reported financial hardship (FH) in cancer care is a growing challenge for patients, their caregivers and healthcare providers. As treatment costs escalate, it is imperative to develop effective strategies to proactively recognize and mitigate FH within oncology practice. Using automated processes to screen and refer patients to appropriate resources is a potential option. At Mayo Clinic, screening for FH involves using a single financial strain question ‘ How hard is it for you to pay for the very basics like food, housing, medical care, and heating?’ completed by all cancer patients annually as part of the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) assessment. In this study, we describe the prevalence and predictors for FH (denoted by the answer ‘hard and very hard’) in our patient population. Methods: Patients receiving cancer care at the three Mayo Clinic sites (Minnesota, Arizona, and Florida) who completed the FH screen at least once were included in this study. Demographics (age, gender, race/ ethnicity, insurance, employment status, marital status, and zip code) and disease state data for included patients was extracted from the EMR and Mayo Clinic Cancer Registry. Disease state was categorized by type of cancer (hematological or solid malignancy) and cancer stage. Zip code was used to derive median income, rural/urban residence and distance from the cancer center. Multivariable logistic regression models were utilized to examine factors associated with FH. Results: The final study cohort included 31,969 patients with median age 66 years (IQR 57,73), 51% females, and 76% married. Race/ethnicity composition was 93% White, 3% Black, and 4% Hispanic. 52% of patients had Medicare and 43% had commercial insurance. Other notable factors included 48% retired, 41% working/ students, 76% married, and 72% urban residents. Median time from cancer diagnosis was 1.1 year (IQR 0.1, 3.8) and median income was $64,406 (IQR 53,067, 82,038). 31% of patients had hematological malignancies, 20% of the cancers for which staging information was available were metastatic. FH was reported by 4% (n = 1194) of the patients. A significantly higher likelihood of endorsing FH (p < 0.001 for all) was noted in Hispanic (OR 1.64), Black (OR 1.84), American Indian/Alaskan native (OR 2.02), below median income (OR 1.48), rural (OR 1.17), self-pay (OR 2.77), Medicaid (OR 2.29), Medicare (OR 1.43), unemployed/disabled (OR 2.39), single (OR 2.07), or divorced (OR 2.43) patients. Older age, being retired, and living farther from the cancer center were associated with significantly less likelihood of endorsing FH. Conclusions: Our study successfully leveraged the EMR to identify key sociodemographic groups more likely to report FH. An electronic trigger to flag such patients at high-risk of FH and proactively address FH is currently being developed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 106-119
Author(s):  
Griffin McNamara ◽  
Karla Ali ◽  
Shraddha Vyas ◽  
Tri Huynh ◽  
Monica Nyland ◽  
...  

Pancreatic cancer (PC), a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, is typically diagnosed at an advanced stage. To improve survival, there is an unmet need to detect pre-malignant lesions and early invasive disease. Prime populations to study for early detection efforts include cohorts of high risk individuals (HRI): those with increased risk to develop pre-malignant pancreatic cysts and PC because of a familial or hereditary predisposition to the disease and those in the general population of sporadic cases who are incidentally found to harbor a pre-malignant pancreatic cyst. The objective of this study was to describe the characteristics and clinical outcomes of cohorts of HRI identified at Moffitt Cancer Center. We set out to determine the uptake of screening, the prevalence and characteristics of solid and cystic pancreatic lesions detected via screening or as incidental findings, and the age at which lesions were detected. Of a total of 329 HRI, roughly one-third were found to have pancreatic lesions, most of which constituted pre-malignant cysts known as intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms. Individuals with the highest genetic risk for PC were found to have smaller cysts at a much earlier age than sporadic cases with incidental findings; however, many individuals at high genetic risk did not have abdominal imaging reports on file. We also identified a subset of HRI at moderate genetic risk for PC that were found to have cystic and solid pancreatic lesions as part of a diagnostic work-up rather than a screening protocol. These findings suggest the pancreatic research community should consider expanding criteria for who should be offered screening. We also emphasize the importance of continuity of care between cancer genetics and gastrointestinal oncology clinics so that HRI are made aware of the opportunities related to genetic counseling, genetic testing, and screening.


2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 8548-8548
Author(s):  
P. Jiang ◽  
M. Choi ◽  
D. Smith ◽  
L. Heilbrun ◽  
S. M. Gadgeel

8548 Background: The percentage of cancer patients ≥ 80 years old is expected to rise in the United States. However data are limited on use of chemotherapy in this group of patients. Methods: Retrospective identification of patients who received systemic chemotherapy at our cancer center between 1/1/2000 to 12/31/2004 was performed using the computer generated pharmacy data and medical records. Patients who had diagnosis of cancer and ≥ 80 years were included in the study; patients receiving only supportive care, hormonal therapy, or oral chemotherapy were excluded. The protocol for this study was approved by the Wayne State University IRB. Results: A total of 133 patients ≥ 80 years who received chemotherapy was analyzed. The median age was 83 and 31% of the patients were ≥ 85 years. There were more females (61%) than males (39%). The gender distribution was more even (47% v. 53%) after excluding gender specific tumors. The racial distribution was diverse- Whites 65 (49%); Blacks 41 (31%); Other 18 (13%); Unknown 9 (7%). 16% of the patients had hematologic malignancy and 84% had solid tumors. Gynecological cancers (32%) followed by aerodigestive cancers (26%) were the most common solid tumors. Solid tumor patients primarily had regional (48%) or distant (45%) disease. During the first regimen, 512 cycles of chemotherapy was delivered with a median of 3 cycles per patient (range 1–24 cycles); 40% of patients received only 2 cycles of chemotherapy. 64% of patients were able to receive chemotherapy without 2nd cycle delay. The distribution of single or multidrug regimens was fairly similar; Solid tumors 52% v. 48%; Hematologic cancers 43% v. 57%. Carboplatin and paclitaxel (22%) was the most common regimen among solid tumor patients. 26% of all patients received a second regimen. The 1 year survival rates among hematologic cancer and solid tumor patients were 65% and 48%, respectively. Stage of disease was the only statistically significant factor predicting survival. Conclusions: In this diverse group of cancer patients ≥ 80 years old and selected for chemotherapy, the treatment was feasible. The survival outcomes in this elderly population were comparable to those of a younger patient population suggesting that the treatment is beneficial. No significant financial relationships to disclose.


2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1124-1124
Author(s):  
Akshara Raghavendra ◽  
Charite Nicolette Ricker ◽  
Lingyun Ji ◽  
Terry Church ◽  
Sujie Tang ◽  
...  

1124 Background: For patients diagnosed with breast cancer, case series have shown that staging MRI can detect occult breast cancers in 1-10% of cases. Prevalence and risk factors in underserved populations remain unclear. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients, newly diagnosed, with breast cancer who had a preoperative staging MRI seen at Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and LAC +USC, that cares for an underserved and minority population, from 2006 to 2011. Demographic, clinicopathologic and imaging data were obtained through a review of electronic records. Non index lesions were defined as those not known to be malignant, not presenting with clinical, mammographic or ultrasound findings, in a different quadrant and given an MRI BIRADS score of 4 or 5. Results: A total of 718 patients were analyzed and 148 patients (21%) had a total of 187 non index lesions; 63% were ipsilateral, 26% contralateral and 11% bilateral. As initial evaluation of non-index ipsilateral lesions, 71 (38%) had biopsy, 24 (13%) had excision and 34 (18%) had mastectomy. For contralateral non-index lesions, 41 (22%) had contralateral biopsy, 6 (3%) had excision and 11(6%) had mastectomy. Among all non index lesions, 111 (59%) were benign, 14 (7%) DCIS and 62 (33%) invasive cancer. Occult ipsilateral cancer was detected in 50 (6.9%) of patients and contralateral in 10 (1.4%) and bilateral in 6 (0.8%). Conclusions: The occult cancer detection rate with staging MRI was in this 9.2% of this diverse population. No clear risk factors were identified, with detailed factors, including BRCA status to be updated and reanalyzed. [Table: see text]


2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e14603-e14603
Author(s):  
Khodadad Rasool Javaheri ◽  
Ali Moghaddamjou ◽  
Caroline Speers ◽  
Winson Y. Cheung

e14603 Background: While urban-rural differences in cancer care are well described, the etiology of these disparities is unclear. Our aims were to 1) characterize differences in AC use based on community size and 2) determine if such disparities are mediated through variations in driving distance (DD) and travel time (TT) to closest cancer center. Methods: Patients diagnosed with stage 2 and 3 RC from 1999 to 2009 and referred to any 1 of 5 regional cancer centers in British Columbia were reviewed. Communities were classified as rural, small urban, moderate urban and large urban based on census data. Using zip codes and a distance matrix application interface, DD and TT to the closest cancer center were determined and categorized into quartiles. Stepwise logistic regression models were constructed to explore AC use based on urban vs rural communities, adjusting for DD and TT. Results: A total of 3,017 patients were identified: median age was 67 years (IQR 58-75), 64% were men and 58% received AC. Patients were distributed across various communities: rural 36%; small urban 12%; moderate urban 13%; and large urban 39%. There were no differences in baseline patient and disease characteristics based on community size (all p>0.05). Compared to patients in large urban centers, those living in rural, small urban and moderate urban areas were less likely to be treated with AC (62 vs 49 vs 54 vs 58%, respectively, p<0.001). Likewise, DD and TT were shortest for large urban and longest for rural residents (both p<0.001). In multivariate analyses that controlled for confounders, urban-rural disparities in receipt of AC persisted, but these differences significantly diminished after adjusting for DD, TT, or both (Table). Conclusions: Urban-rural disparities in AC use is partly mediated by commute. Strategic distribution of cancer services that reduce DD and TT to cancer centers may improve access to AC for a number of RC patients who are living in smaller communities. [Table: see text]


2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (29_suppl) ◽  
pp. 159-159
Author(s):  
Rachel Ruskin ◽  
Michelle Renee Rowland ◽  
Katherine N Moore ◽  
Katrina Slaughter ◽  
Adam Walter ◽  
...  

159 Background: Prior studies in GC patients have described predictors of inpatient palliative care (PC) consultation, but predictors of outpatient SPC consultation have not been elucidated. We sought to identify factors predictive of referral and associated care outcomes. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of GC patients seen in the gynecologic oncology clinic at a comprehensive cancer center over a three month period. As a part of routine care, patients completed a symptom questionnaire. Patients previously seen at the outpatient PC clinic were compared to those who had not with respect to demographics, disease characteristics, symptom scores, and provider factors using univariate statistics. A multivariate model was created to identify independent predictors of referral. Results: 913 patients completed the symptom survey. 76 patients (8%) had been seen in the outpatient PC clinic. Disease factors associated with referral included site (p < 0.01), stage (p < 0.01), evidence of disease (p < 0.01), active treatment (p < 0.01), and time point in the disease trajectory (p < 0.01). Women with moderate to severe pain (p < 0.01), sadness (p = 0.03), distress (p < 0.01), fatigue (p < 0.01), neuropathy (p = 0.03), and sexual dysfunction (p < 0.01) were more likely to have seen PC. Marital status, number of symptoms, and patient provider were also predictive of referral (all p < 0.01). In a multivariate model, site, stage, number of symptoms, moderate to severe sexual dysfunction, and provider were independently associated with referral. Compared to women who had not been referred, patients seen in the PC clinic were more likely to have a health care proxy documented in the electronic medical record (p < 0.01). Among patients with related symptoms, patients referred to PC more often had an opioid prescribed for pain (p < 0.01) and medications prescribed for depression (p < 0.01), anxiety (p = 0.04), insomnia (p < 0.01), and fatigue (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Women with depression, anxiety, insomnia, and fatigue were more likely to receive pharmacologic treatment for these symptoms from a SPC provider. Future research should identify referral triggers for those patients most likely to benefit from outpatient SPC consultation.


2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (28_suppl) ◽  
pp. 118-118
Author(s):  
Heather Y. Lin ◽  
Gildy Babiera ◽  
Isabelle Bedrosian ◽  
Simona Flora Shaitelman ◽  
Henry Mark Kuerer ◽  
...  

118 Background: Guidelines for treating inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) using trimodality (chemotherapy, surgery and radiation) therapy (TT) remain largely unchanged since 2000. However, many such patients did not receive TT. It is unknown how patient-level (PL) and facility-level (FL) factors contribute to TT utilization. Methods: Using the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB), patients who underwent surgical treatment of locoregional IBC from 2003-2011 were identified. We correlated patient, tumor, and treatment data with TT. An observed to expected (O/E) ratio of number of patients treated with TT was calculated for each hospital by adjusting for PL factors. Hierarchical mixed effects models were used to assess the proportion of variation in the use of TT attributable to PL and FL factors, respectively. Results: Among 5,537 patients who met the study criteria, the use of TT fluctuated annually (67.3%-75.7%) and was less likely for patients who were over 70, had a lower income or had an N0 tumor (all p < 0.05). By insurance type, TT use was lowest among Medicare patients. Of the 542 hospitals examined, 55 (10.1%) and 24 (4.4%) were identified as significantly low and high outliers for the use of TT (p < 0.05), respectively. While comprehensive cancer centers represented the majority of high outliers, the TT use by facility type overall was not significantly different demonstrating variability within comprehensive cancer center practice. The percentage of the total variance in the use of TT attributable to facility (11%) was almost triple the variance attributable to the measured PL factors (3.4%). Conclusions: The use of standard of care TT varied widely across facilities with some high volume centers clearly underutilizing TT. To improve clinical outcomes for this rare and aggressive malignancy, it is critical to identify facility level factors impacting the use of TT to ensure the guideline adherence of IBC treatment.


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