Cure Today: Telemedicine May Help Advance Care Planning in Vulnerable Patients

Cure Today: Telemedicine May Help Advance Care Planning in Vulnerable Patients

Researchers from University of Pennsylvania found that the rates of advance care planning were no different for patients with cancer who were seen in-person or via telemedicine, posing virtual visits as a viable option for vulnerable populations. Patients seen in person were more likely to have advanced disease than those seen virtually and were also more likely to receive care from a general oncologist. While most telemedicine appointments were conducted via video call, Black and lower income patients more frequently used the phone. The findings suggest that vulnerable patients can be managed safely by telemedicine without negatively affecting key components of their care such as advance care planning and acute care utilization.