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01-12-2021 | COVID-19 | Original Article

Perceptions and acceptance of telemedicine among medical oncologists before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey

Authors: Elif Sahin, Umut Kefeli, Devrim Cabuk, Ercan Ozden, Yagmur Cakmak, Muhammed Ali Kaypak, Mustafa Seyyar, Kazım Uygun

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 12/2021

Abstract

Background

As a result of technological developments in healthcare services, telemedicine is becoming widespread. We aimed to determine the effect of COVID-19 on Turkish medical oncologists’ opinions of telemedicine through a survey.

Methods

This study was conducted using an online questionnaire linked to an invitation e-mail sent to the members of the Turkish Medical Oncology Association mailing group between May and July 2020.

Results

Of the 110 (73 males and 37 females) medical oncologists who answered the questionnaire, the average age was 43.9 ± 7.29 (range: 31–64) years, and the majority of the respondents were academics. The most commonly used telemedicine method was store and forward (69.7%). Telemedicine use during clinical visits and multidisciplinary councils increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic (p < 0.001 in both cases).

Conclusion

The use of telemedicine increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the pandemic has led oncologists to view telemedicine more positively.

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Title: Perceptions and acceptance of telemedicine among medical oncologists before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey
Authors: Elif Sahin
Umut Kefeli
Devrim Cabuk
Ercan Ozden
Yagmur Cakmak
Muhammed Ali Kaypak
Mustafa Seyyar
Kazım Uygun
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: COVID-19
Telemedicine
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 12/2021
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-021-06290-x

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