Cancer care is an important topic, especially as a diagnosis impacts healthcare in multiple ways. Cancer affects almost everyone in some way or another, so it is widely known how intense and challenging treatment can be. With over 100 types of cancers, therapies and care can be very specific and individual to each person, which can make a difficult situation even worse if you don’t have easy access to medical professionals.
This is especially true when patients live in more rural areas and may not have as easy access to specialty practitioners and facilities. No cancer patient should have to deal with not being able to see a doctor who can help with their specific medical needs. This is where telehealth and telemedicine can help. So how does telemedicine work for cancer patients?
Telehealth for Cancer Patients
With a projected shortage of oncologists, especially in smaller rural areas, it will only get more difficult for patients to receive the medical care they need. Travel is not always feasible and, with a compromised immune system, can ultimately do more harm than good. By utilizing telecommunication, patients are able to receive multiple inputs without the hardships of travelling to a specialist, and still be treated at their local facility.
Patients are connected to a specialist for their specific type of cancer to receive the best medical advice possible, regardless of where they live. Through virtual communication with specialists, patients have a more convenient way of monitoring their treatment and receiving expert opinions.
Overall Telehealth Advantages for Cancer Care
Some of the many advantages Telehealth has on cancer care are as follows:
- Patients can monitor and report on any serious or worsening conditions as they happen and receive a fast virtual connection with specialists and care teams
- Counselling services are often needed for patients undergoing treatment. Through telehealth, patients have an easier and more accessible way of connecting with psychiatrists and receiving care during treatment
- Patients and their families are able to connect with distant specialists and care providers and receive new information on diagnosis, medication, and treatments that can be easily shared
- Specific cancers may be more deadly when there is a lack of information, telecommunication provides patients who otherwise would not connect with a practitioner, receive preventative care and obtain the most information needed for their specific case
Telemedicine Support for Cancer Care
While no one wants to receive a cancer diagnosis, the potential benefits that telehealth and telemedicine brings to cancer care is monumental. With patients being able to receive combined virtual care from world-class specialists, healthcare providers, and care teams globally, they have access to more options, treatments, and information. Telehealth enables patients to receive the utmost care during on-going treatments or at home while transitioning out of facility care.
With approximately 38.4% of people being diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, it is important that every patient and family member has access to the best treatment options and care possible. For this reason alone, implementing telemedicine into healthcare is not only valuable but needed in order to fill any missing gaps that cancer patients may encounter.
That’s why Lyte Medical provides as many resources as we can. If we aren’t able to provide support for your particular needs, we can ensure referrals to specialists that are able. We do our best to make your cancer care seamless.
