scholarly journals Rapid Utilization of Telehealth in a Comprehensive Cancer Center as a Response to COVID-19: Cross-Sectional Analysis (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter E Lonergan ◽  
Samuel L Washington III ◽  
Linda Branagan ◽  
Nathaniel Gleason ◽  
Raj S Pruthi ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND The emergence of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in March 2020 created unprecedented challenges in the provision of scheduled ambulatory cancer care. As a result, there has been a renewed focus on video-based telehealth consultations as a means to continue ambulatory care. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to analyze the change in video visit volume at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Comprehensive Cancer Center in response to COVID-19 and compare patient demographics and appointment data from January 1, 2020, and in the 11 weeks after the transition to video visits. METHODS Patient demographics and appointment data (dates, visit types, and departments) were extracted from the electronic health record reporting database. Video visits were performed using a HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)-compliant video conferencing platform with a pre-existing workflow. RESULTS In 17 departments and divisions at the UCSF Cancer Center, 2284 video visits were performed in the 11 weeks before COVID-19 changes were implemented (mean 208, SD 75 per week) and 12,946 video visits were performed in the 11-week post–COVID-19 period (mean 1177, SD 120 per week). The proportion of video visits increased from 7%-18% to 54%-72%, between the pre– and post–COVID-19 periods without any disparity based on race/ethnicity, primary language, or payor. CONCLUSIONS In a remarkably brief period of time, we rapidly scaled the utilization of telehealth in response to COVID-19 and maintained access to complex oncologic care at a time of social distancing.

10.2196/19322 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. e19322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter E Lonergan ◽  
Samuel L Washington III ◽  
Linda Branagan ◽  
Nathaniel Gleason ◽  
Raj S Pruthi ◽  
...  

Background The emergence of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in March 2020 created unprecedented challenges in the provision of scheduled ambulatory cancer care. As a result, there has been a renewed focus on video-based telehealth consultations as a means to continue ambulatory care. Objective The aim of this study is to analyze the change in video visit volume at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Comprehensive Cancer Center in response to COVID-19 and compare patient demographics and appointment data from January 1, 2020, and in the 11 weeks after the transition to video visits. Methods Patient demographics and appointment data (dates, visit types, and departments) were extracted from the electronic health record reporting database. Video visits were performed using a HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)-compliant video conferencing platform with a pre-existing workflow. Results In 17 departments and divisions at the UCSF Cancer Center, 2284 video visits were performed in the 11 weeks before COVID-19 changes were implemented (mean 208, SD 75 per week) and 12,946 video visits were performed in the 11-week post–COVID-19 period (mean 1177, SD 120 per week). The proportion of video visits increased from 7%-18% to 54%-72%, between the pre– and post–COVID-19 periods without any disparity based on race/ethnicity, primary language, or payor. Conclusions In a remarkably brief period of time, we rapidly scaled the utilization of telehealth in response to COVID-19 and maintained access to complex oncologic care at a time of social distancing.


Author(s):  
Peter E. Lonergan ◽  
Samuel L. Washington ◽  
Linda Branagan ◽  
Nathaniel Gleason ◽  
Raj S. Pruthi ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundThe emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in March 2020 created unprecedented challenges in the provision of scheduled ambulatory cancer care. As a result, there has been a renewed focus on video consultations as a means to continue ambulatory care.ObjectiveTo analyze the change in video visit volume at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Comprehensive Cancer Center in response to COVID-19 and compare demographics/appointment data from January 1, 2020 and in the 11 weeks after transition to video visits.MethodsPatient demographics and appointment data (dates, visit types, and departments) were abstracted from the Electronic Health Record reporting database. Video visits were performed using a HIPAA-compliant video conferencing platform with a pre-existing workflow.ResultsIn 17 departments and divisions at the UCSF Cancer Center, 2,284 video visits were performed in the 11 weeks before COVID-19 changes with an average (SD) of 208 (75) per week and 12,946 video visits were performed in the 11 week post-COVID-19 period with an average (SD) of 1,177 (120) per week. The proportion of video visits increased from 7-18% to 54-72%, between the pre- and post-COVID-19 periods without any disparity based on race/ethnicity, primary language, or payor.ConclusionsIn a remarkably brief period of time, we rapidly scaled the utilization of telehealth in response to COVID-19 and maintained access to complex oncologic care at a time of social distancing.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. e039295
Author(s):  
Mary L. Greaney ◽  
Steven A. Cohen ◽  
Furong Xu ◽  
Christie L Ward-Ritacco ◽  
Deborah Riebe

ObjectivesTo determine if adults with overweight or obesity received counselling from their healthcare providers (HCPs) to lose weight and/or adopt healthful behaviours associated with weight loss, and whether they took action on their HCPs’ recommendations.DesignCross-sectional analysis of 2011–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data.SampleNHANES respondents aged 18+ who were overweight/obese and had seen an HCP in the previous 12 months (n=13 158).MethodsRespondents reported if their HCPs recommended they control/lose weight, increase exercise/physical activity (PA) and/or reduce fat/calorie intake, and if they adopted the offered recommendation(s). Weighted logistic regression models examined receipt of HCP counselling by sex, age, race/ethnicity, and weight status accounting for demographic characteristics and complex sampling. Similar analyses examined reported adoption of HCPs’ recommendations.ResultsThe sample was 53.1% women, 45.0% were overweight and 55.0% had obesity. In total, 40.4% received counselling to control/lose weight, 49.5% to increase exercise/PA and 38.9% to reduce fat/calorie intake. The following groups were less likely (p<0.001) to receive counselling: men; younger adults (aged 18–39) versus middle-aged (aged 40–64) and older adults (aged 65+); White versus Black and Hispanic respondents; overweight respondents versus respondents with obesity. Approximately half of those advised to make changes reported doing so (53.6% controlled/lost weight, 57.3% increased exercise/PA, 51.8% reduced fat/calorie intake). Differences in the adoption of recommendations were identified by sex, age group, race/ethnicity and weight status (all p<0.05); women, middle-aged and older adults, Black and Hispanic respondents and individuals with obesity were more likely to adopt one or more recommendations.ConclusionMost respondents did not receive HCP counselling, and approximately half of those who received counselling reported taking action. HCPs may need training to provide counselling and to offer recommendations tailored to the social contexts of populations less likely to adopt weight control related recommendations.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivek Jain ◽  
Sarah B. Doernberg ◽  
Marisa Holubar ◽  
Beatrice Huang ◽  
Carina Marquez ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundHealthcare personnel (HCP) are prioritized for earliest SARS-CoV-2 vaccine administration, yet relatively few data exist on HCP’s knowledge, motivations, concerns, and intentions regarding COVID-19 vaccines.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey Nov.16-Dec.8, 2020 among HCP enrolled in a cohort study at three Northern California medical centers serving diverse roles including COVID-19 patient care. Eligible HCP were adult (age≥18) on-site employees of the University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco General Hospital, and Stanford Healthcare. A one-time electronically-administered survey was sent to cohort HCP on November 16, 2020 and responses analyzed.ResultsOverall, among 2,448 HCP invited, 2,135 completed the COVID-19 vaccine survey (87.2% response rate). HCPs had mean age 41 years, were 73% female, and had diverse jobs including COVID-19 patient contact. Enthusiasm for vaccination was overall strong, and more HCP (1,453, 69%) said they would definitely/likely receive vaccine if formally FDA-approved versus if approved via emergency use authorization only (785, 35%). While 541 (25%) respondents wanted to be among the earliest to receive vaccine, more desired vaccination after the first round (777, 36%) or >2 months after vaccinations began (389, 18%). Top factors increasing motivation for vaccination included perceiving risk from COVID-19 to self (1,382, 65%) or to family/friends (1355, 63%). Top concerns were vaccine side effects, cited by 596 (28%), and concerns about political involvement in FDA’s approval process (249, 12%).ConclusionsHCP were enthusiastic about COVID-19 vaccination for individual protection and protecting others, but harbored concerns about vaccine side effects. Our data may inform emerging vaccine education campaigns.Key PointsAmong 2,135 healthcare personnel surveyed, we found enthusiasm for COVID-19 vaccination both for individual benefit and protecting others. However, healthcare personnel rated their knowledge of COVID-19 vaccines as only moderate and harbored concerns about vaccine side effects. Education raising awareness of vaccine efficacy and side effects may help maximize vaccine uptake.


2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Martínez ◽  
Marcela Fu ◽  
Jose María Martínez-Sánchez ◽  
Laura Antón ◽  
Paz Fernández ◽  
...  

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.


2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 559-559
Author(s):  
Ravi Kumar Paluri ◽  
Michael Behring ◽  
James Posey ◽  
Upender Manne

559 Background: The race/ethnicity based research in colorectal cancer (CRC) care continues to remain a high priority in developing personalized medicine, and to improve overall clinical outcomes. The role of p53 abnormalities in prognostication of CRC has been evaluated earlier. The incidence of nuclear accumulation of p53 (p53nac) and its prognostic relevance in African American (AA) and non-Hispanic white patients (pts) have been investigated, and it was suggested that the clinical consequences of p53nac in CRC varies with anatomic location of the tumor and the race of the patient. However, the clinical value of p53nac in relation to age, the tumor location, and race together is not assessed. Thus, we evaluated prognostic significance of p53nac by considering the tumor location, age, race/ethnicity and p53nacin CRCs in AA and white pts. Methods: Formalin fixed paraffin embedded CRC tissues from 242 AAs and 346 whites who underwent surgery were assessed for p53nac by routine immunohistochemistry (IHC). The routine (not antigen retrieval) IHC will identify the majority of genetic alterations ( > 95% missense point mutations) and have significant association with patient survival in CRC. The association between phenotypes, p53nac status, clinicopathologic features, and overall survival were evaluated using the x2 test and Cox regression analyses. Results: Approximately equivalent proportions of distal (52%) and proximal adenocarcinomas (48%) were positive for p53nac in AA pts. In contrast, distal CRC from whites more frequently were positive for p53nac than from the proximal colon (67% vs. 34%, x2 P = 0.006). p53nac was found to be a strong predictor of poor overall survival in young ( < 65 yr) white pts with proximal tumors [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.8, 95% Confidence Intervals (CI):1.2-6.4] but not in AAs (HR = 0.7, 95% CI: 0.41-1.21). Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that p53nac is a strong prognostic marker for young white pts with proximal colon adenocarcinomas. Our findings are clinically relevant because several small-molecule inhibitors of mutant p53 are under investigation. These studies were supported by a pilot project grant by the UAB Comprehensive Cancer center.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Divya A. Parikh ◽  
Rani Chudasama ◽  
Ankit Agarwal ◽  
Alexandar Rand ◽  
Muhammad M. Qureshi ◽  
...  

Objective. To examine the impact of patient demographics on mortality in breast cancer patients receiving care at a safety net academic medical center.Patients and Methods. 1128 patients were diagnosed with breast cancer at our institution between August 2004 and October 2011. Patient demographics were determined as follows: race/ethnicity, primary language, insurance type, age at diagnosis, marital status, income (determined by zip code), and AJCC tumor stage. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors related to mortality at the end of follow-up in March 2012.Results. There was no significant difference in mortality by race/ethnicity, primary language, insurance type, or income in the multivariate adjusted model. An increased mortality was observed in patients who were single (OR = 2.36, CI = 1.28–4.37,p=0.006), age > 70 years (OR = 3.88, CI = 1.13–11.48,p=0.014), and AJCC stage IV (OR = 171.81, CI = 59.99–492.06,p<0.0001).Conclusions. In this retrospective study, breast cancer patients who were single, presented at a later stage, or were older had increased incidence of mortality. Unlike other large-scale studies, non-White race, non-English primary language, low income, or Medicaid insurance did not result in worse outcomes.


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