eISSN: 1897-4309
ISSN: 1428-2526
Contemporary Oncology/Współczesna Onkologia
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SCImago Journal & Country Rank
1/2022
vol. 26
 
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abstract:
Original paper

Patient satisfaction and cost analysis of telehealth delivered by allied health oncology clinicians

Emma Charters
1
,
Maite J. Khom
1
,
Jacqueline Baker
1
,
Toni Lindsay
1

  1. Sydney Head and Neck Cancer Institute, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Australia
Contemp Oncol (Pozn) 2022; 26 (1): 44–48
Online publish date: 2022/03/29
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Introduction
To compare and analyse satisfaction and costs of telehealth services for patients receiving allied health services at a quaternary oncology hospital.

Material and methods
Cross-sectional design survey distributed to patients who had received outpatient allied health (psych-oncology, dietetics, speech pathology) telehealth services from March November 2020. Responses regarding satisfaction and barriers relating to telehealth were examined, and costs calculated.

Results
A total of 156 surveys were distributed, 124 were completed and included in the analysis. The majority of respondents (56%) were female patients, with a median age of 57 years. Survey results revealed that 89% of respondents would access allied health consultations using telehealth again, of whom 14.5% indicated that they preferred telehealth to a face-to-face appointment. Common barriers to service delivery were internet connection, inability to perform physical examination via telehealth, and patient unfamiliarity with technology. Levels of satisfaction were high, with 92.7% of respondents either satisfied or very satisfied with the allied health telehealth service offered. Only 1.5% of the participants were dissatisfied on account of unfamiliarity with the technology and preference for face-to-face contact with their clinician. To attend a face-to-face allied health consultation 90% of respondents would have to drive to the hospital, with cost of petrol and parking per trip calculated to be an average of $ 51.25.

Conclusions
Allied health service delivered via telehealth was met with high rates of satisfaction and resulted in lower patient costs.

keywords:

quality of life, telemedicine, neoplasm, rural health

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