Telemedicine in oncology: Impact on clinical outcomes, access to care, and future oncology practice.

Abstract

e13539 Background: The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of telemedicine in oncology to maintain continuity of care while minimizing infection risk. Although in-person care has largely resumed, tele oncology remains embedded in routine practice. Ongoing evaluation is needed to understand its impact on clinical outcomes, healthcare utilization, patient experience, and health equity in the post–COVID-19 era. Methods: We conducted a narrative review of published literature evaluating telemedicine across the cancer care continuum, including diagnosis, active treatment, survivorship, and palliative care. Outcomes of interest included treatment adherence, symptom control, healthcare utilization, patient and provider satisfaction, and equity considerations. Results: Evidence suggests that telemedicine is comparable to in-person care for selected oncology visits, particularly follow-up encounters, symptom management, oral therapy monitoring, survivorship care, and palliative services. Tele oncology is associated with improved access to care, reduced travel burden, and high patient satisfaction. Remote patient monitoring and electronic patient-reported outcome (ePRO) systems have demonstrated improved symptom control and, in some studies, reductions in emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Provider satisfaction is mixed, reflecting perceived efficiency gains alongside concerns about limited physical examination and digital fatigue. Importantly, disparities in telemedicine utilization persist, with lower uptake among patients with limited digital access, lower socioeconomic status, or language barriers. Conclusions: Telemedicine has emerged as a durable component of oncology care with demonstrated benefits in access, convenience, and continuity of care. While outcomes are comparable to in-person care for appropriately selected visits, intentional, equity-focused implementation is critical to avoid widening disparities. Future tele oncology models should emphasize hybrid care approaches, supportive policy frameworks, and prospective evaluation of clinical outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and equity.