Virtual visits for children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer.

Abstract

6622 Background: Children, adolescents, and young adults have rare cancers and standard-of-care treatment is commonly very aggressive. Virtual visits provide include many of the nuances of face-to face communication. These are much friendlier than phone calls or email and can be scheduled and structured to provide a large amount of information efficiently. Methods: Cleveland Clinic uses HIPPA-compliant software from American Well (Boston, MA) that allows the health care provider and patient to use a phone, tablet, or desktop computer for video visits. Our intake process involves obtaining a Medical Record Number (MRN), sending a brief summary, uploading or sending a CD with images in DICOM, and having an administrative assistant schedule the virtual visit. Telemedicine sessions typically last <60 minutes. During the visit a summary is updated, images are reviewed, and this and other information shared via email after the visit. Results: In 2017+ 2018 we conducted 223 virtual visits; 85% were <30 years old (table). The summary has been a key to efficient and effective organization and includes not only contact information and past medical history, but also an “Opportunities to Improve Health" section (problem list /action plan). Topics discussed in solid tumor patients include: 1) local control, 2) medical therapy (chemotherapy), 3) imaging and tumor markers, 4) control of side effects and nutrition, 5) social issues and goals of care (which can include palliative care and hospice), and 6) follow-up. A power point with key images and the updated summary and articles are emailed at the end of the visit to the patient & caregivers and often referring physician, NP, or PA . Visit diagnoses have included osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma (73%), but also other rare cancers such as rhabdomyosarcoma, DSRCT, paraganglioma, and adrenal cortical carcinoma. Survivorship and cGVHD have also been discussed. Conclusions: A structured virtual visit to help young people and their caregivers understand complex multi-disciplinary cancer care is now possible for all regions of North America. A major source of satisfaction has been two-way sharing of information to improve not only cancer control, but also improved nutrition, communication, and proactive toxicity reduction. [Table: see text]