• Ir J Med Sci · Nov 2021

    Virtual oncology clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    • David O'Reilly, Hailey Carroll, Mairi Lucas, Jane Sui, Maha Al Sendi, David McMahon, Waseem Darwish, Ronan McLaughlin, Mohammed Raza Khan, Hazel O Sullivan, Sonya Chew, Colum Dennehy, Catherine M Kelly, John McCaffrey, Megan Greally, Desmond Carney, and Michaela J Higgins.
    • Department of Medical Oncology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Eccles Street, Dublin, 7, Ireland. oreilld8@tcd.ie.
    • Ir J Med Sci. 2021 Nov 1; 190 (4): 1295-1301.

    BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in radical changes in the delivery of healthcare worldwide. Our oncology service (at an Irish national cancer centre) rapidly transitioned to the use of telemedicine or virtual clinics (VC) to minimise potential risk of exposure to COVID-19 amongst an immunosuppressed, high-risk population. Our study aimed to evaluate the use of VC in this setting.MethodsAn 18-point questionnaire was designed to investigate the patient experience of VC during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland and compliance with guidelines developed in Ireland to conduct VC and the role of VC in the future. Questionnaires were distributed following the receipt of verbal consent from patients during the VC. Descriptive statistics were utilised for data analysis using SPSS®.ResultsOne hundred and four patients returned completed surveys (n = 104/164, 63% response rate). Overall satisfaction levels were high with most patients (n = 58/100, 58%; no answer provided (NAP), n = 4) equally satisfied or nearly equally satisfied with VC in comparison to a usual clinic encounter. The majority of patients felt that there should be a role for VC in the future (n = 84/102, 82%; NAP, n = 2). The majority of patients (n = 61/99, 61%; NAP, n = 5) were very relieved to avoid a hospital visit due to perceived risk of potential exposure to COVID-19.ConclusionThe majority of oncology patients were satisfied with a VC encounter. VC may have a role in the future of medical care in Ireland post the COVID-19 pandemic.© 2021. Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland.

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