A new study from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center has shed light on the use of telemedicine in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) clinical trials, revealing a divergence in perspectives between patients and healthcare providers. The prospective study, conducted between January and October 2023, explored the experiences of patients, clinical trial nurses (CTNs), and oncology providers involved in RCC clinical trials utilizing telemedicine.
The study included 39 patients, 7 CTNs, and 15 oncology providers. While a significant proportion of patients (64%) felt that telemedicine provided an equal quality of care compared to in-person visits, a majority of providers (73%) preferred in-person care and perceived the quality of care with telemedicine as inferior. Specifically, 67% of patients preferred in-person visits for clinical trial care, while 11% preferred telemedicine, and 22% had no preference. Conversely, all CTNs (100%) and a significant majority of providers (73%) preferred in-person care.
Despite these differences in perceived care quality, the overall experience with telemedicine was positive for most participants. Ninety-seven percent of patients reported a positive or neutral experience, and all CTNs and 93% of providers also reported a positive experience. This suggests that while providers may have reservations about the quality of care delivered via telemedicine, they still find value in its use.
The study highlights the potential of telemedicine to expand access to clinical trials for RCC patients, which is particularly important given that these trials often offer promising investigational agents. However, the differing perspectives between patients and providers raise important questions about the optimal integration of telemedicine into clinical trial care delivery.
Implications for Clinical Practice
The findings suggest a need for further evaluation of the safety and feasibility of telemedicine in RCC clinical trials. It is crucial to address the concerns of healthcare providers regarding the quality of care delivered via telemedicine, while also considering the preferences and positive experiences of patients. Future research should focus on identifying strategies to optimize telemedicine integration, potentially through enhanced training, improved technology, or modified clinical trial protocols.
Study Limitations
The authors acknowledge that further research is needed to fully understand the implications of these findings and to develop best practices for telemedicine in RCC clinical trials. Further studies should address the specific concerns of providers and explore strategies to enhance the quality of care delivered via telemedicine.
