Telemedicine in the Management of Urologic Oncology Patients: Lessons from the COVID-19 Era

Paulo Mazzo Calzavara; Fernando Terziotti; Manuela Perri Marin; Gabriella Paslar Carbonieri; Ana Laura Vallim Mendes; Daniel Crippa da Silva; Augusto Varella Postiglioni; Matheus Mehret Moleta

doi:10.55825/RECET.SBU.0223

Autores

Paulo Mazzo Calzavara PUC https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7454-3460
Fernando Terziotti Médico Urologista do Hospital Evangélico de Londrina-PR
Manuela Perri Marin Estudante de medicina na instituição PUCPR – Londrina, Brasil
Gabriella Paslar Carbonieri Estudante de medicina na instituição PUCPR – Londrina, Brasil
Ana Laura Vallim Mendes Estudante de medicina na instituição PUCPR – Londrina, Brasil
Daniel Crippa da Silva Residente de Urologia do Hospital Evangélico de Londrina-PR
Augusto Varella Postiglioni Residente de Urologia do Hospital Evangélico de Londrina-PR
Matheus Mehret Moleta Residente de Urologia do Hospital Evangélico de Londrina-PR

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55825/RECET.SBU.0223

Palavras-chave:

Telemedicine, Teleheatlh, Oncology

Resumo

Purpose: This study examined and compared uro-oncologic outpatient telemedicine (TM) and in person assessment during COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of uro-oncologic outpatients treated in our hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic, from June 3rd, 2020, to December 30th, 2020. Patients were evaluated for a single urologist in both pre and postoperative assessment.

Results: 869 urological outpatients were evaluated in this period, while 193 (22%) through TM modality. The majority was man (n=747; 85.9%, p=0.002), with prostate cancer disease (n=544; 62.6%, p<0.001) at posttreatment follow-up (n=673; 77.4%, p<0.001). Faults were higher at in-person assessment (12.8% vs 7.2%, p=0.035).

Conclusions: Telemedicine emerges as a substitute for traditional clinic visits and its expansion will allow ease of access for health services. Our study provides insights into the efficacy of postoperative care offered through TM.

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