The Rise of Virtual Care in Hematology and Oncology: A Comprehensive Review

By Staff Writer

September 11, 2023

The demand for continuous home and institutional care is escalating due to the ageing population and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases. This demand is further amplified by the current context of limited professional resources. The COVID-19 pandemic has fast-tracked the deployment of virtual care tools, ensuring access to care and services while promoting continuity of care.

Virtual care modalities have been integrated into care pathways and are increasingly used in the evaluation, treatment, and follow-up of patients in specialty medicine, including haematology and oncology. These modalities have the potential to improve access to health care for most patients and foster their engagement in managing their illness.

A scoping review of scientific and grey literature conducted over the past five years by  the Institut national d’excellence en santé et en services sociaux (INESSS) has shed light on the care pathways that can be supported or optimised with the use of virtual care. Teleconsultation and tele-education have emerged as the most studied interventions in the care pathways of haematology and oncology.

The Potential and Concerns of Virtual Care in Oncology and Hematology

Despite the promising results, the number of studies exploring the efficacy of virtual care interventions in individuals with malignant or non-malignant homoeopathy remains limited. Similarly, few studies have investigated the impact of virtual care interventions according to the type of cancer, the disease stage, or the treatment protocol.

Virtual care modalities reported as having a positive impact include telemedicine, telehealth, e-health/mobile health, teleconsultation, tele intervention, and tele-education. Individuals with cancer or a hematologic disease, or cancer survivors, use these tools alone or in combination with other modalities to improve their quality of life and reduce their disease- and treatment-related symptoms.

Despite the potential benefits, some patients and health professionals have expressed concerns about the use of virtual care. These include worries about the ability to use new technology, problems with the technology, feeling distant and insecure, the lack of face-to-face contact and communication with health professionals, and the failure to recognize their signs of distress.

While the use of virtual care in haematology and oncology shows promise, more high-quality studies are necessary to fully understand its potential and address any concerns. As we continue to navigate the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the role of virtual care in specialty medicine is likely to become increasingly important.

Reference url

Recent Posts

oral health Africa
    

Oral Health in Africa: Promoting Collaborative Solutions

🦷 Is oral health taking a back seat in public health discussions in Africa?

A new article reveals alarming statistics about the high prevalence of untreated dental diseases across the continent and a critical shortage of oral health professionals. It emphasizes the urgent need for collaborative action among healthcare providers and policy-makers to integrate oral health into broader public health frameworks.

Discover how strengthening partnerships can pave the way for improved health outcomes and resource allocation in oral health.

#SyenzaNews #globalhealth #HealthEconomics

tislelizumab NSCLC treatment
        

Early Benefit Assessment of Tislelizumab NSCLC Treatment: Insights and Implications

🧐 How is the evolving treatment landscape for NSCLC affecting patient access to tislelizumab?

The German Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) has launched an early benefit assessment for tislelizumab as a second-line treatment for adults with advanced NSCLC. This assessment notably focuses on PD-L1 negative patients and highlights the need for additional data to substantiate its value amidst a shifting emphasis on first-line immunotherapy.

Explore the nuances of this assessment and its implications for future research and market access in the full article.

#SyenzaNews #oncology #MarketAccess

colorectal cancer screening
    

Advances in Colorectal Cancer Screening: Access and Cost

🚀 Is blood-based screening redefining colorectal cancer detection?

The Shield blood test offers a non-invasive alternative to colonoscopy—boosting screening uptake, but raising questions around effectiveness and value.

🔍 Discover how this innovation could reshape patient care, payer strategy, and health system costs.

#SyenzaNews #HealthcareInnovation #CostEffectiveness #DigitalTransformation

When you partner with Syenza, it’s like a Nuclear Fusion.

Our expertise are combined with yours, and we contribute clinical expertise and advanced degrees in health policy, health economics, systems analysis, public finance, business, and project management. You’ll also feel our high-impact global and local perspectives with cultural intelligence.

SPEAK WITH US

CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS

1950 W. Corporate Way, Suite 95478
Anaheim, CA 92801, USA

© 2025 Syenza™. All rights reserved.