The impact of telehealth on nursing care in the radiation oncology setting during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objective: This article aims to explore care patterns and understand the impact of telehealth on nursing care in the radiation oncology setting at a comprehensive cancer center during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Focus group interviews of radiation oncology nurses (n ​= ​18) were used to obtain data and describe current patient care patterns during the study period. Interviews were conducted over Zoom video conference, and content was analyzed.

Results: Three major themes were determined: (1) the evolution of nurses' roles during the transition to telehealth, (2) the resilience of the human element, and (3) the benefits and constraints of the institution's infrastructure.

Conclusions: Study results support radiation oncology nurses' ability to provide quality patient care using telehealth and can guide the expansion future care models for radiation oncology patients. Research exploring telehealth care outcomes among radiation patients is warranted. Radiation oncology nurses' training and scope of practice must be expanded to include telehealth care. As telehealth care models continue to develop, there will be a need to address training and technical disparities among certain patient demographics.

Keywords: COVID-19; Cancer; Nursing; Oncology; Radiation; Telehealth.