I am starting a new educational series of "Oncology micro-tips", in which I will try to explain the complexities of cancer diagnosis and treatment. Simple questions, simple answers.
Are online oncology consultations a breakthrough in democratising access to medicine?
Ten years ago I was invited to take part in remote oncology consultations between hospitals. The proposal seemed abstract and utterly inappropriate to me. At the time I could not imagine a reliable oncology consultation without examining the patient, based solely on a presentation of the medical history – and by a doctor from another hospital at that. I did not believe I could fully trust such an arrangement. Moreover, I would have been deprived not only of the opportunity to talk to the patient, but also of the opportunity to carry out a physical examination. Admittedly, in the 10 years before the pandemic I did conduct a dozen or so telephone consultations with desperate patients who were abroad and needed urgent oncological advice, but this did not fundamentally change my views. I remained convinced that remote oncology consultations were a dubious blessing – until the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A remote consultation requires thorough preparation. The patient sends their complete medical records in PDF format, together with access to their imaging studies (e.g. via Google Drive or WeTransfer). Before the visit I analyse the records in depth. The online visit itself usually lasts 30 min., and the preparation beforehand 20-30 min. The patient receives recommendations; if they provisionally qualify for radiotherapy, they are still referred to the oncology clinic at the Radiotherapy Department, where they are examined and finally qualified for radiotherapy.
If, however, the diagnostic work-up is incomplete, the patient completes the additional tests and **does not lose time on an unnecessary in-person visit.** In addition, the patient can talk freely with the doctor. I feel that an online visit can benefit the patient. Above all, it saves time! It often cuts short months of going round in circles without any sense of progress in diagnosis or treatment.
More on the oncology blog: https://onko24.pl/czy-onkologiczne-konsultacje-online.../
Online oncology consultations
A short film about the advantages and disadvantages from the point of view of the patient’s family, the doctor and the healthcare organiser.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2ggfYNCcVE&t=45s
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YES, it’s worth it!