Coronavirus Victoria: Cancer trials open to regional patients through telehealth
Coronavirus has shown the value of virtual medical platforms and now regional Victorian cancer patients will be able to benefit from telehealth. Here’s how.
CANCER patients based in regional Victoria will be able to gain access to life-saving clinical trials without travelling to the city through telehealth.
A report published yesterday found the coronavirus pandemic has led to greater acceptance and confidence for doctors and patients in delivery of medical care via telehealth, including for anti-cancer therapies.
Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre medical oncologist Associate Professor Ian Collins said allowing regional patients to access clinical trials closer to home could improve their health outcomes.
“Currently, less than five per cent of regional cancer patients participate in any clinical trial; barriers include travel distance to a metropolitan site, a lack of trials available locally, and costs involved for patients and carers such as travel and accommodation and loss of earnings.
“It’s quite possible that not having access to cancer trials lead to worse outcomes for regional people,” he said.
Professor Collins said the benefits of teletrial technology being adopted in regional centres will not just impact the patient, but the wider health system as well.
“Trials have a benefit for patients and the healthcare system, with a little bit of extra education and training in those regional areas,” he said.
“It also means niche clinical trials have access to more participants. Opening up those trials to regional areas means you have 1.5 million more people you could reach, so you’re finding people quicker with more retention.”
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