“When palliative care is delivered via telehealth, there are a number of advantages. They can be at home, in their pajamas, and their caregivers or anyone else across the country can sit in on that appointment to act as support."

Comfort can be delivered to patients with advanced cancer virtually just as well as in person, according to a new study presented on Sunday at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting in Chicago.

That’s welcome news to palliative care experts who have, in many cases, preferred the convenience and efficacy of telehealth sessions for both themselves and their patients since the Covid-19 pandemic forced virtual visits.

“I can sit in my office or at home and do patient after patient. It doesn’t increase the number of healthcare professionals doing palliative care, but it does increase the efficiency,” said Thomas Smith, a medical oncologist and palliative care specialist at Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center who did not work on the study. “These are very timely studies. I’m glad we have them. There simply aren’t enough palliative care professionals to provide the care that’s needed.”

  • RubberDuckEnglish
    12•6 months ago

    I’ll gladly be proven wrong, as good care for terminal patients is high on an importance scale.

    But this reads as an outcome requested by private equity investors in the palliative care business to allow them to “help” more patients while charging the full amount.