Safety and efficacy of telephone clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic in the provision of care for patients with cancer

Background: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, telephone clinics have been utilised to reduce the risk of transmission. Evidence supporting its quality and safety is required.

Aims: Assess the efficacy and safety of telephone clinics in delivering care to established oncology patients and assess patient and health professionals' preference (telephone vs face-to-face clinics).

Methods: Retrospective chart audit in the month preceding and month following the introduction of telephone clinics at the Gold Coast University Hospital and a patient and health professional questionnaire.

Results: In total, 1212 clinical encounters occurred in the month post the introduction of telephone clinics (vs 1208 encounters prior). There were no statistically significant differences in 24-h (18 vs 22, P = 0.531) or 7-day admissions (50 vs 46, P = 0.665) comparing encounters in the month prior to the introduction of telephone clinics versus the month post, but there was a statistically significant difference in 30-day mortality post systemic therapy in favour of the post-telephone clinic period (7 vs 0 patients, P = 0.008). Of the 222 patients who undertook the questionnaire, 42.3% preferred telephone clinics (95% confidence interval (CI) 35.97-48.97), 25.2% preferred face-to-face clinics (95% CI 19.92-31.39) and 32.4% did not prefer one method over another. Of the 24 health professionals who undertook the questionnaire, 70.8% felt patients preferred phone clinics.

Conclusions: Generally, patients and clinicians viewed telephone clinics favourably. Nevertheless, a large portion of patients still prefer face-to-face clinics. Services should be tailored to individual preferences. Although there were no 'red flags' in terms of mortality or admission rates, further longitudinal research is required.