# Palliative care follow-up for cancer patients combining day-hospital visits and telemedicine: What feasibility?

## TL;DR

This study explores whether cancer patients can feasibly use telemedicine for palliative care follow-ups, finding that it is widely accepted and beneficial regardless of patient characteristics.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates the feasibility and acceptance of teleconsultations in palliative care for cancer patients, independent of age or socioeconomic factors.

## Key findings

- Teleconsultations were feasible and accepted by patients regardless of age, sex, or socioeconomic status.
- Patients reported psychological and clinical benefits from monthly teleconsultations.
- Participants expressed a desire to continue teleconsultations beyond the study period.

## Abstract

Due to the increasing life expectancy of patients with cancer, palliative care services are increasingly solicited to provide follow-up for individuals living at home. The implementation of teleconsultations represents a potential solution to extend access to palliative care follow-up to a larger number of patients.

The aim of this study is to demonstrate the a priori acceptance of teleconsultations among all patients admitted to palliative care, as well as the feasibility of their implementation. We therefore initially explored whether a specific patient profile might limit acceptance or feasibility of teleconsultations (e.g., older patients, patients unfamiliar with digital technologies, gender differences, social status, economic status, or place of residence), and we identified patients’ expectations and concerns regarding teleconsultation. The secondary objective is to describe the contribution of monthly remote consultations (telemedicine), conducted in parallel with quarterly day-hospital follow-up by a palliative care team, for patients with cancer, in anticipating potential deterioration in their overall clinical condition.

We included 36 patients at the time of their first admission to the palliative care day hospital. Upon enrollment, participants completed a questionnaire on demographic characteristics as well as their expectations and/or reluctance regarding teleconsultations. Patients were scheduled to receive monthly teleconsultations (at 1 and 2 months), followed by an in-person visit at 3 months.

With regard to feasibility and acceptability, our findings indicate that age, sex, socioeconomic status, or underlying disease did not influence patient adherence or the successful conduct of teleconsultations. Patients expressed few negative preconceptions regarding their inclusion in the study. Concerning the clinical contribution of monthly consultations, interviewed patients reported a perceived benefit of monthly teleconsultations for both their psychological support and clinical management, and expressed a desire to continue monthly follow-up by teleconsultation beyond the three-month study period.

In the absence of the possibility of monthly in-person consultations, we highlight the relevance of developing teleconsultations for patients receiving palliative oncological care, regardless of their profile.