Successful implementation of virtual oncology and hematology services in a rural health system.

Abstract

e13887 Background: Oncology and Hematology patients in rural areas lack access to specialty care. We report a successful implementation of a virtual care model in this specialty. The initial pilot was conducted in Tomah Wisconsin, a Mayo Clinic Health System site. The clinic was scheduled for two afternoons per month. We report the data on the practice during the first quarter of 2023 where these patients were seen using a Teladoc Mini device and virtual care platform. A total of 18 Teladoc physician visits were completed with 14 unique patients seen using this technology. During that period, six patients received intravenous or injectable treatments for cancer with a total of 21 treatments given. The patient time saved was 90 mins per encounter for travel. Most of the patients were older, with half the patients aged 75 or older and one third of the patients 80 years or older. Based on the suceessful inital implementation, the platform was expanded to 3 additional rural Wisconsin Sites: Arcadia WI, Sparta WI, and Prarie du Chein WI. The system then expanded to other sites within the Mayo Clinic Health System in Wisconsin. Methods: A retrospective, 3-month longitudinal analysis of the patients seen via Teladoc for Oncology and Hematology from January 2023 through March 2023 in Tomah Wisconsin. Results: Over the period of analysis, 14 unique patients were seen for a total of 18 physician Teladoc visits. Of those 14 patients, six were on treatment for their cancer (either intravenous or injection). A total of 21 treatments were completed. The patients ranged in age from 52 to 89 with an average age of 72. Eight patients were male and six were female. Conclusions: With the looming oncology workforce shortage, access to specialty care for rural populations will be even more difficult in the coming years. In the current marketplace, virtual care in oncology and hematology is limited to expert opinion rather than implementation of Teladoc technology. Creative ideas are needed to improve the efficiency of the workforce and the access for patients in rural populations. Using the Teladoc technology allows for improved access to the oncology and hematology service line in the Tomah Wisconsin area of the Mayo Clinic Health System. Most of the patients that were seen in this analysis were 75 years or older. This technology not only saves time for patients, but also their caregivers that often must accompany the patients for treatment. Nearly half the patients seen with Teladoc technology were given some form of IV or injectable therapy. This technology decreases the burden on patients and family members, particularly the accompanying family members that are non-salary (e.g., hourly) employees. The patients that favored the Teladoc technology were those who had limited access to technology and high-speed internet access. Based on the successful implementation, the Teladoc technology was expanded to other sites for the oncology and hematology service line.