%0 Journal Article
%@ 2561-326X
%I JMIR Publications
%V 5
%N 2
%P e15598
%T Use of Teleconsultations in a Regional Stereotactic Radiosurgery Service: Pilot Study
%A O'Cathail,Micheal
%A Aznar-Garcia,Luis
%A Sivanandan,Ananth
%A Diver,Claire
%A Patel,Poulam
%A Tang,Pui-Shan
%A Christian,Judith
%+ Department of Oncology & Radiotherapy, Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust, Hucknall Road, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, United Kingdom, 44 07460617317, mocathail@gmail.com
%K telemedicine
%K teleconsultations
%K brain metastases
%K stereotactic radiosurgery
%K mobile phone
%D 2021
%7 5.2.2021
%9 Original Paper
%J JMIR Form Res
%G English
%X Background: The National Health Service Long Term Plan details plans to make digital interactions available to all patients in 5 years. Teleconsultations can improve access to specialist services; however, there is a lack of evidence for the use of teleconsultations in an oncology setting in the United Kingdom. Objective: We aim to describe a service evaluation of teleconsultations for patients attending a regional brain metastases clinic. These patients have unique travel restrictions that prevent them from driving. Methods: From April to October 2018, all patients attending the brain metastases clinic were offered the choice of teleconsultation in place of a face-to-face appointment. Feedback was assessed using a satisfaction questionnaire, and data of all clinic attendances were collected. Results: A total of 69 individual patients had 119 appointments over the duration of the pilot, of which 36 (30.2%) were new patient appointments and 73 (61.3%) were follow-ups. Of the 69 patients, 24 (35%) took part in teleconsultations (41/119, 34.5%). User satisfaction was high, and no patients who took part in a teleconsultation reverted to face-to-face appointments. These patients avoided 2521 miles (61.6 miles per appointment) of hospital-associated travel and travel costs of £441.48 (US $599.83) to £10.78 (US $14.65) per appointment. Conclusions: Teleconsultations appear to be acceptable in this cohort of patients with brain metastases attending a regional stereotactic radiosurgery service with the potential for significant savings in travel and expenses. 
%M 33544082
%R 10.2196/15598
%U http://formative.jmir.org/2021/2/e15598/
%U https://doi.org/10.2196/15598
%U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33544082