Telehealth Implementation for Transplant Care With Dr Rosko

Telehealth may offer a way to reduce barriers to specialized care for patients with multiple myeloma, including those being considered for autologous stem cell transplantation. In this episode of Community Corner, Ashley Rosko, MD, of The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center discusses how virtual consultations can connect patients with transplant specialists while allowing them to remain in their local communities.

Rosko describes an approach that enables clinicians to evaluate patients remotely for transplant eligibility, potentially reducing unnecessary travel and helping patients determine whether they need further evaluation at a specialized center. In a cohort of 35 patients evaluated virtually, 6 were found not to need a transplant or were ineligible for the procedure. The experience also suggested that telehealth could help mitigate differences in transplant access associated with geography, age, and race when patients have comparable access to virtual consultations.

Beyond transplant evaluation, Rosko discusses how virtual consultations may help patients overcome practical challenges, including transportation limitations, work schedules, and the difficulty of navigating large cancer centers. The approach may also have applications in connecting patients with specialists for chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy and other advances in myeloma treatment.

However, implementing telehealth programs requires attention to several logistical and regulatory considerations. Rosko highlights insurance coverage, restrictions on cross-state consultations, Medicare-related limitations, and the importance of building strong partnerships with community practices so clinicians and patients know these options are available.