Telehealth during public health emergencies may lead to better outcomes for patients with ovarian cancer, according to Dr. Chun Chao of Kaiser Permanente Southern California. Research on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ovarian cancer outcomes suggests that maintaining patient-physician contact through telehealth can help minimize in-person appointments and improve clinical remission rates.
To understand the full impact of the pandemic on ovarian cancer, further research is needed to examine other outcomes such as stage at diagnosis, treatment-related complications, and recurrence rates. Dr. Chao also emphasizes the importance of evaluating patient safety outcomes during the treatment phase, including readmission rates and hospitalizations from disease-related complications.
A key lesson from her study is that fully utilizing telehealth can help maintain positive outcomes for patients with ovarian cancer. This includes building infrastructures for telehealth capacity and exploring its use during normal times to be prepared for future public health emergencies. Additionally, quick deployment of safety protocols in clinics and hospitals can also make patients feel more comfortable and confident with the care they receive.
Overall, Dr. Chao’s research highlights the potential benefits of telehealth in improving ovarian cancer outcomes during public health emergencies. By continuing to build and improve telehealth infrastructure, healthcare providers can help ensure better patient outcomes and reduce the burden on patients during future crises.
Source: https://www.ajmc.com/view/navigating-future-public-health-emergencies-with-pandemic-lessons-on-ovarian-cancer