Abstract 2281
Background
TM is a useful tool that improves access to medical care for rural residents. However, factors that correlate with a positive TM experience are not well known. The study aims to determine TM experience in cancer patients and physicians, and to explore clinical and socio-economic factors (CSF) that are associated with a positive TM experience in patients.
Methods
In this cross-sectional study cancer patients on active treatment and physicians in the province of Saskatchewan, Canada completed a paper-based comprised of 32 items or an electronic survey of 18 items, respectively. Six point likert score was used. Logistic regression analysis was done to assess correlation between self-reported CSF and a positive TM experience. We present here preliminary results.
Results
Overall 25 physicians and 165 patients responded to the survey over a period of three months. Among physicians 69% were in practice for ≥10 yrs with M:F of 1.7:1. 94% were confident in their TM assessment, 58% felt that TM improve clinical efficiency, and 74% felt that doctor-patient rapport was unimpaired with TM. Of 165 patients with median age of 67 years (IQR 59-75) and M:F of 1.06:1, 60% were ≥65 yrs, 70% were married, and 82% had a dependent family member. 94% were born in Canada, 77% were Caucasian, 29% were working and 35% had annual income of < 40K. 67% had solid tumor, 46% reported having a curable cancer, 31% had surgery, 27% had radiation, and 62% had chemotherapy. 61% used TM first time. 90% felt that their needs were met, 91% felt that TM improved their quality of care, and 91% had a good experience. Overall, 83% patients vs. 45% physicians preferred TM to in-person clinic visit (P = 0.005). Only univariate analysis only age ≥65 was strongly associated with a positive TM experience, odd ratio 4.1 (1.2-13.8), p = 0.02. No other CSF including marital status, income, working status, dependent family member, and cancer type were significantly correlated with a positive TM experience.
Conclusions
This study supports a higher rate of positive TM experience in cancer patients and physicians. However, high preference of TM was noted among patient compared with physicians. Among various variables examined only older age was associated with a positive TM experience.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
Shahid Ahmed.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Resources from the same session
5011 - LCSCAF1 maintains cancer stem-like traits by stabilizing c-Myc protein and promotes metastasis and recurrence in lung cancer
Presenter: Tao Guo
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
4955 - XAF1 Enhances Temozolomide Induced Autophagic Cell Death through AMPK signaling pathway
Presenter: Mingoo Lee
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
5616 - The effect of cortisol on methylation patterns in breast cancer cell lines
Presenter: Haya Intabli
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
4649 - Global and sex-specific epigenome-wide association studies for the identification of the main methylated loci related to smoking in a Mediterranean population
Presenter: Judith Begona Ramirez Sabio
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
4984 - Whole transcriptomics analyses of mimicking Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) by single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq)
Presenter: Jessica Garcia
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
5926 - Comparison of enzymatic- and bisulfite conversion to map the plasma cell-free methylome in cancer
Presenter: Nicole Lambert
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
5454 - Detection of low mutations in hepatocellular carcinoma by using circulating tumor DNA
Presenter: Esl Kim
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
4428 - Variants in the JAK1 and JAK2 genes in the risk and prognosis of patients with cutaneous melanoma
Presenter: Bruna Carvalho
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
4409 - P-Rex1 expression in breast cancer patients.
Presenter: Angela Lara Montero
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
4185 - Modulation of Risk of Cutaneous Melanoma Patients by Variants in STAT3 Gene and Functional Analysis
Presenter: Gabriela Gomez
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract