Inequity in Telemedicine Use Among Patients with Cancer in the Deep South During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Oncologist
; 27(7): 555-564, 2022 07 05.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35348793
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Telemedicine use has increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. It remains unclear if its rapid growth exacerbates disparities in healthcare access. We aimed to characterize telemedicine use among a large oncology population in the Deep South during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
A retrospective cohort study was performed at the only National Cancer Institute designated-cancer center in Alabama March 2020 to December 2020. With a diverse (26.5% Black, 61% rural) population, this southeastern demographic uniquely reflects historically vulnerable populations. All non-procedural visits at the cancer center from March to December 2020 were included in this study excluding those with a department that had fewer than 100 visits during this time period. Patient and clinic level characteristics were analyzed using t-test and Chi-square to compare characteristics between visit types (in-person versus telemedicine, and video versus audio within telemedicine). Generalized estimating equations were used to identify independent factors associated with telemedicine use and type of telemedicine use.RESULTS:
There were 50 519 visits and most were in-person (81.3%). Among telemedicine visits, most were phone based (58.3%). Black race and male sex predicted in-person visits. Telemedicine visits were less likely to have video among patients who were Black, older, male, publicly insured, and from lower income areas.CONCLUSIONS:
Telemedicine use, specifically with video, is significantly lower among historically vulnerable populations. Understanding barriers to telemedicine use and preferred modalities of communication among different populations will help inform insurance reimbursement and interventions at different socioecological levels to ensure the continued evolution of telemedicine is equitable.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Bases de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Telemedicina
/
COVID-19
/
Neoplasias
Tipo de estudio:
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Humans
/
Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Oncologist
Asunto de la revista:
NEOPLASIAS
Año:
2022
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos