Telehealth refers to the use of telecommunication technologies for virtual clinical healthcare and education. The types of technology used for telehealth include the Internet, videoconferencing, streaming media, and wireless communications.1 Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are now able to access a free telehealth program that offers the opportunity to talk with a specialist, learn more about CLL, and review their treatment plan.2,3
In 2017, the CLL Society, a nonprofit organization that supports people who are living with CLL, and a virtual care provider called InfiniteMD, began offering Expert Access, a free telehealth or “virtual consultation” service.4 Patients with CLL can access this service by visiting the CLL Society’s website, www.cllsociety.org/cll-society-expert-access/. To talk with a CLL specialist using Expert Access, patients must qualify for the service, allow the CLL specialist to access their medical records, and then schedule a 30-minute video consultation using a phone, tablet, or computer.3
In late 2019, a 2-year assessment of Expert Access showed that this program greatly improved care management for patients with CLL. According to Brian Koffman, MDCM, DCFP, FCFP, DABFP, MSEd, Co-Founder, Chief Medical Officer, and Executive Vice President of the CLL Society, “For CLL patients, there is a proven survival advantage to having an expert on their team, and that has never been truer than now with all the new therapies. The CLL Society’s free Expert Access program helps patients who otherwise would not have such access get their best possible care.”4
Dr Koffman presented findings from an analysis of Expert Access at the 61st American Society of Hematology’s Annual Meeting held in December 2019. The study investigators collected and analyzed data from pre- and post-consultation surveys that were completed by 84 patients with CLL who used Expert Access.5 Among these patients, 92% stated that they learned something new about their CLL and 83% felt greater peace of mind.4 Almost two-thirds (64%) felt more confidence in their current healthcare provider, 86% said they understood their test results better, 82% understood their treatment and care plan better, and 85% had more confidence in their care plan.5
In addition, 42% of patients who used Expert Access said they planned to do more research on CLL, 35% planned to have more tests done, and 20% planned to do some additional genetic testing. More than half (55%) said they would consider taking part in a CLL clinical trial.4
Results of the survey of Expert Access users highlight the value of telehealth in educating patients who may not be able to meet with a CLL specialist based on their location or financial situation. Programs such as Expert Access also give doctors who specialize in CLL a chance to advise more patients about their treatment and help them find clinical trials.2 This research also demonstrates how getting another opinion can help patients become more active in their care. Of patients with CLL who were surveyed, 75% planned to make some type of change in their care after their experience using Expert Access.5
References
- Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. What is telehealth? How is telehealth different from telemedicine? October 17, 2019. www.healthit.gov/faq/what-telehealth-how-telehealth-different-telemedicine. Accessed March 31, 2020.
- Wicklund E. Telehealth gives leukemia patients access to better care advice. December 27, 2019. https://mhealthintelligence.com/news/telehealth-gives-leukemia-patients-access-to-better-care-advice. Accessed March 31, 2020.
- CLL Society. CLL Society Expert Access Program. https://cllsociety.org/cll-society-expert-access/. Accessed March 31, 2020.
- InfiniteMD. The impact of telemedicine and access to leukemia experts: insights on patient behaviors to be presented at the American Society of Hematology 61st Annual Meeting. December 5, 2019. www.infinitemd.com/the-impact-of-telemedicine-and-access-to-leukemia-experts-insights-on-patient-behaviors-to-be-presented-at-the-american-society-of-hematology-61st-annual-meeting/. Accessed March 31, 2020.
- Koffman B, Pagel JM, Byung Park AK, et al. An innovative telemedicine platform to provide expert access to patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Blood. 2019;134(Supplement_1):4716.
