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Perspectives on Virtual Care for Childhood Cancer Survivors in Non-Metropolitan Areas during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Curr Oncol 2023 Sep 01;30(9):8111-8116

Date

09/27/2023

Pubmed ID

37754503

Pubmed Central ID

PMC10529011

DOI

10.3390/curroncol30090588

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85172665792 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   2 Citations

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic paved the way for the widespread use of virtual care for childhood cancer survivors (CCSs). CCSs were virtual recipients of diverse care, including long-term follow-up (LTFU), primary care, mental health care, and several others. Virtual care comes with well-documented benefits and challenges. These are further magnified for CCSs living in rural or non-metropolitan areas. Here, we describe the virtual care of CCSs from two Upper Midwest cities with well-established childhood cancer survivor programs within large comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. CCSs from non-metropolitan areas, especially CCSs with two or more late effects, used virtual care more often during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to CCSs from metropolitan areas. A review of the related literature is also included and the identified challenges in providing virtual care, such as privacy concerns, technology-connectivity constraints, and medical license restrictions. Despite these limitations, the care of CCSs has evolved to leverage virtual care and its ability to increase access for patients and promote continuity of care for CCSs living in rural areas.

Author List

Phelan R, Aremu TO, Karst J, Anderson L, Jordan A, Morin J, Nichols J, Singh A, Schmidt D, Hoag JA, Napurski C, Zweber H, Sadak KT

Authors

Lynnette J. Anderson NP APP Mgr Hybrid in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Jennifer A. Hoag PhD Associate Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Jeffrey S. Karst PhD Associate Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Rachel A. Phelan MD, MPH Associate Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Debra Schmidt NP APP Hybrid in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin




MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Cancer Survivors
Child
Disease Progression
Humans
Neoplasms
Pandemics