Expediting Cancer Treatment With Virtual Care

Hardeep Phull, MD, director of oncology at Palomar Health, discusses the value of virtual health care and telehealth for both oncologists and patients.

Phull highlights the critical need for a definitive diagnosis, stating that a simple image of a mass or a physical symptom like a lump isn't enough to proceed with treatment. From the patient's perspective, receiving such news—for example, seeing a mass on a kidney scan—can be incredibly difficult to process. In such a stressful situation, it's not easy for a patient to simply accept a vague explanation and wait for a primary care doctor to sort it out over several weeks.

Phull emphasizes the importance of immediate, compassionate, and hands-on care. He explains that it is crucial for a clinician to engage directly with the patient, offering a clear initial assessment of the situation. This involves explaining the potential possibilities, laying out the next steps, and reassuring the patient that they will be guided through every part of the process. This proactive approach helps to alleviate anxiety and move the patient toward a diagnosis more quickly.

This model of care is highly effective and can be delivered through various channels, including telemedicine, which offers unique advantages. Telemedicine allows for consultations in the privacy and comfort of the patient's home and can easily include family members, regardless of their location. For instance, if a patient is in a nursing home and their family lives out of state, a group call can connect everyone, ensuring that all loved ones are informed and involved. This increased access can dramatically reduce patient anxiety and streamline the journey to a diagnosis.

While referring doctors are skilled at moving things along, Phull notes that a direct consultation with an oncology team can significantly accelerate the process. A specialist's consultation notes, whether from a telemedicine or in-office visit, can be used to justify and expedite insurance approvals for critical tests like genetic screens, advanced scans, or biopsies. Ultimately, being under the care of an oncology team provides faster access to a coordinated team of experts, which Phull believes ultimately leads to a faster diagnosis and a quicker transition to treatment.

Read the full interview with Dr Phull here.