
Lessons for Oncology From the COVID-19 Pandemic
Author(s) -
Thomas J. Roberts,
Inga T. Lennes
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
the cancer journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.825
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1540-336X
pISSN - 1528-9117
DOI - 10.1097/ppo.0000000000000579
Subject(s) - pandemic , covid-19 , equity (law) , health care , healthcare system , quality (philosophy) , medicine , business , nursing , political science , infectious disease (medical specialty) , virology , disease , philosophy , epistemology , outbreak , law
After several decades of slow expansion, the use of virtual care in oncology rapidly expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from cancer centers across the country show that most patients and providers were satisfied with components of virtual care, and virtual care may be able to improve access to care. However, the rapid implementation of programs during the pandemic worsened disparities in access to virtual care. Health systems must develop strategies to monitor quality, support patients and providers, promote health equity, and overcome regulatory challenges to successfully deliver care in hybrid systems that combine in-person and virtual care.