Optimizing the Use of Technology in Oncology Care: Post Pandemic Opportunities

A special issue of Current Oncology (ISSN 1718-7729). This special issue belongs to the section "Palliative and Supportive Care".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2022) | Viewed by 7398

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
1. University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
2. Center for Excellence in Behavioral Medicine and Quality of Life Program for UPMC’s Liver Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Interests: psycho-oncology; psychoneuroimmunology; interventions; caregiving; cancer; quality of life; health; behavioral medicine

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

While the use of technology in healthcare has increased dramatically in the last decade the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic expedited the use of technology in health care. While a minority of health care providers used technology prior to the pandemic, nearly all specialties, including oncology, utilized telemedicine or other forms of technology during the pandemic to improve access to care. Opportunities to optimize the use of technology in oncology have not yet been realized. For this Special Issue in Current Oncology, we encourage submissions focused on unique contributions that will facilitate the advancement of the field of oncology including novel uses of telemedicine in oncology; novel digital approaches, methods, or devices used in cancer care; evaluation of eHealth/mHealth interventions; the implementation or dissemination of mHealth, eHealth, or social media in research or care of those diagnosed with cancer; ecological momentary assessment, sensors, or mobile technologies used in oncology; effects of the internet, mHealth, eHealth or social media on patient-physician relationship or communication; ethical or legal issues associated with eHealth or mHealth in oncology including security and confidentiality; health disparities in the use of technology in oncology; use of electronic medical records or patient portals; telemonitoring or tele epidemiology in oncology; the use of technology in behavior change for the prevention of cancer; cybermetrics, digital imaging and multimedia in oncology; innovative or emerging technologies in oncology; the use of technology in the basic sciences in oncology; the technology in mentoring, education, and consulting in the field of oncology; and the use of technology in clinical trials or e-trials in oncology.

Dr. Jennifer Steel
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Current Oncology is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

  • telemedicine
  • tele-oncology
  • oncology
  • technology
  • eHealth
  • mHealth
  • implementation
  • dissemination
  • behavior change
  • patient portals
  • education
  • consultation
  • security
  • confidentiality
  • health disparities
  • clinical trials
  • research
  • sensor
  • social media
  • internet
  • patient-physician communication
  • digital imaging
  • multimedia
  • e-trials

Published Papers (2 papers)

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13 pages, 1961 KiB  
Article
Satisfaction with Telemedicine for Cancer Pain Management: A Model of Care and Cross-Sectional Patient Satisfaction Study
by Marco Cascella, Sergio Coluccia, Mariacinzia Grizzuti, Maria Cristina Romano, Gennaro Esposito, Anna Crispo and Arturo Cuomo
Curr. Oncol. 2022, 29(8), 5566-5578; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol29080439 - 4 Aug 2022
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3486
Abstract
Background: Since cancer pain requires complex modalities of care, the proper strategy for addressing its telemedicine-based management should be better defined. This study aimed to trace a pathway for a progressive implementation of the telemedicine process for the treatment of pain in the [...] Read more.
Background: Since cancer pain requires complex modalities of care, the proper strategy for addressing its telemedicine-based management should be better defined. This study aimed to trace a pathway for a progressive implementation of the telemedicine process for the treatment of pain in the setting of cancer patients. Methods: The features of the model were investigated to dissect the dropout from the telemedicine pathway. A cross-sectional patient satisfaction study was conducted. The degree of satisfaction was evaluated through a developed 22-item questionnaire (Likert scale 0–7). Results: A total of 375 video consultations for 164 patients (mean age 62.9 years) were performed through remote consultations for cancer pain management between March 2021 and February 2022. After the exclusion of 72 patients, 92 (56.1%) were included in the analysis. The dropout ratio was 8.7%. The number of visits and pharmacological therapies for neuropathic pain correlated with the risk for readmission (p < 0.05). Overall, the satisfaction was very high (mean > 5.5 for all items). Conclusion: Feedback from patients reflected high satisfaction rates with the care provided. A methodological approach based on the degree of satisfaction combined with the analysis of the pathways can help to implement the quality of a service provided through telemedicine. While not without limitations, our hybrid protocol can be useful for addressing cancer pain through a patient-centered approach. Full article
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10 pages, 1098 KiB  
Commentary
Lessons Learned from the Implementation of a Person-Centred Digital Health Platform in Cancer Care
by Saima Ahmed, Karine LePage, Renata Benc, Guy Erez, Alon Litvin, Annie Werbitt, Gabrielle Chartier, Carly Berlin and Carmen G. Loiselle
Curr. Oncol. 2022, 29(10), 7171-7180; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol29100564 - 29 Sep 2022
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Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has accelerated the development and use of digital health platforms to support individuals with health-related challenges. This is even more frequent in the field of cancer care as the global burden of the disease continues to increase every year. [...] Read more.
The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has accelerated the development and use of digital health platforms to support individuals with health-related challenges. This is even more frequent in the field of cancer care as the global burden of the disease continues to increase every year. However, optimal implementation of these platforms into the clinical setting requires careful planning and collaboration. An implementation project was launched between the Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux (CIUSSS) du Centre-Ouest-de-I’Île-de-Montreal and BELONG—Beating Cancer Together—a person-centred cancer navigation and support digital health platform. The goal of the project was to implement content and features specific to the CIUSSS, to be made available exclusively for individuals with cancer (and their caregivers) treated at the institution. Guided by Structural Model of Interprofessional Collaboration, we report on implementation processes involving diverse stakeholders including clinicians, hospital administrators, researchers and local community/patient representatives. Lessons learned include earlier identification of shared goals and clear expectations, more consistent reliance on virtual means to communicate among all involved, and patient/caregiver involvement in each step to ensure informed and shared decision making. Full article
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