Meeting the needs of rural cancer patients in survivorship: Understanding the role of telehealth

Abstract

Objective: This study explores perceptions about the role of telehealth in providing health and supportive services to Australian rural/regional cancer patients and survivor during COVID-19 and the quality of these services to inform future practice.

Design: Data were collected as part of a bi-annual survey on client satisfaction at a rural/regional community cancer wellness centre in Australia.

Settings and participants: Rural/regional cancer patients and survivors (n = 66) completed an online survey.

Main outcome measures: The three main outcome measures were: (1) attitudes towards telehealth; (2) preference for future cancer support services; and (3) experiences with video/telehealth.

Results: Younger participants were more likely to use allied health services via video/telehealth during COVID-19 than their older counterparts. The preferred format for cancer support services in future was face-to-face (59% for younger and 42% for older participants), telehealth (10% for both groups) and mixed (31% for younger and 48% for older participants).

Conclusions: Telehealth has benefits for the delivery of health and supportive services to rural/regional cancer patients and survivors. Nurses can play a key role in assessing the support needs of cancer survivors and facilitating strategies to ensure that survivors have the skills necessary to access telehealth support.

Keywords: COVID-19; oncology; rural/regional cancer support; telehealth.