In order to minimize the risk of infections during the COVID-19 pandemic, remote video consultations (VC) experienced an upswing in most medical fields. However, telemedicine in neuro-oncology comprises unique challenges and opportunities. So far, evidence-based insights to evaluate and potentially customize current concepts are scarce. To fill this gap, we analyzed >3700 neuro-oncological consultations, of which >300 were conducted as VC per patients’ preference, in order to detect how both patient collectives distinguished from one another. Additionally, we examined patients’ reasons, suitable/less suitable encounters, VC’s benefits and disadvantages and future opportunities with an anonymized survey. Patients that participated in VC had a worse clinical condition, higher grade of malignancy, were more often diagnosed with glioblastoma and had a longer travel distance (allp< 0.01). VC were considered a fully adequate alternative to face-to-face consultations for almost all encounters that patients chose to participate in (>70%) except initial consultations. Most participants preferred to alternate between both modalities rather than participate in one alone but preferred VC over telephone consultation. VC made patients feel safer, and participants expressed interest in implementing other telemedicine modalities (e.g., apps) into neuro-oncology. VC are a promising addition to patient care in neuro-oncology. However, patients and encounters should be selected individually.
为降低新冠疫情期间的感染风险，远程视频诊疗在多数医疗领域呈现上升趋势。然而，神经肿瘤科的远程医疗既面临独特挑战，也蕴含特殊机遇。目前，用于评估及优化现有诊疗模式的循证依据仍显不足。为填补这一空白，我们分析了超过3700例神经肿瘤科诊疗案例（其中根据患者偏好采用视频诊疗者超300例），以探究两类患者群体的差异特征。此外，我们通过匿名调查评估了患者选择原因、适宜/非适宜场景、视频诊疗的优劣及未来发展机遇。
参与视频诊疗的患者具有以下特征：临床状况较差、恶性肿瘤分级较高、胶质母细胞瘤诊断比例更高、就诊路程更远（所有指标p<0.01）。除初诊外，在患者主动选择视频诊疗的场景中（>70%），该模式被认为是替代面对面诊疗的完全适宜方案。多数参与者倾向于交替使用两种诊疗模式而非单一选择，但与电话问诊相比更青睐视频诊疗。视频诊疗提升了患者的安全感，参与者对在神经肿瘤科推广其他远程医疗模式（如应用程序）表现出兴趣。
视频诊疗是神经肿瘤科患者护理领域的有益补充，但需根据患者个体情况及诊疗场景进行针对性选择。
Telemedicine in Neuro-Oncology—An Evaluation of Remote Consultations during the COVID-19 Pandemic
肿瘤(癌症)患者之家