The primary objective of this research study is to assess Radiation Oncology healthcareproviders (i.e. faculty, residents and advanced practice providers (APPs) implementationand perception of telehealth for on treatment patients in lieu of in person on treatmentvisits during standard of care radiotherapy during COVID-19.
A secondary aim will be to evaluate the rates of acute care during COVID-19 with
telehealth in comparison to the rates during our prior Quality Improvement (QI) project
(NCT04277650), considering the risk prediction based on our previously developed ML
algorithm. Patient risk during this period will be assessed by the ML algorithm and
actual rates of Emergency Department visits and hospitalizations (acute encounters) will
be compared to the results of our prior QI project. These data will be used to discern
how actual rates of acute care compare to providers' expectations both with and without
telehealth implementation. Reasons for acute encounters and associated healthcare costs
compared to patients undergoing standard of care assessments in NCT04277650 will be
assessed to determine the percentage that are COVID-19 related. Basic demographic,
disease, location of acute care, form of clinical assessments (video, in-person,
telephone, etc.), and treatment information regarding the patients will also be captured
following the completion of the research project for assessment.
These endpoints will establish how our current COVID-19-based precautions impact
treatment-related outcomes in patient care.
Other: Telehealth
patients have virtual visits with Radiation Oncology providers in lieu of in person
clinic visits as a necessary response to COVID-19
Inclusion Criteria:
• started outpatient radiation therapy with or without concurrent systemic therapy at
Duke Cancer Center during the COVID-19 outbreak
Exclusion Criteria:
- undergoing total body radiation therapy for hematopoetic stem cell transplantation
- undergoing therapy as inpatient
- completed radiation therapy prior to algorithm execution
Duke Cancer Center
Durham, North Carolina, United States
Manisha Palta, MD, Principal Investigator
Duke Health