Outpatient Palliative Care Practice for Cancer Patients During COVID-19 Pandemic: Benefits and Barriers of Using Telemedicine

Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2021 Jul;38(7):842-844. doi: 10.1177/1049909121997358. Epub 2021 Mar 4.

Abstract

The current COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the way outpatient palliative care providers deliver care for patients and their families. Operational changes such as the reduction of in-person care to minimize the risk of exposure is a way healthcare has adjusted to the pandemic. Our New York City-based outpatient palliative care practice is embedded in oncology. Adopting telemedicine was an essential tool to continue providing comprehensive palliative care to vulnerable oncology patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. We describe a case illustrating the benefits and barriers of telemedicine in the care of an oncology patient in the outpatient palliative care setting.

Keywords: COVID-19; oncology; outpatient setting; palliative care; supportive care; telemedicine.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Humans
  • Medical Oncology / organization & administration
  • Neoplasms* / therapy
  • New York City
  • Outpatients
  • Palliative Care*
  • Pandemics
  • Telemedicine*