The impact of telemedicine on racial and ethnic disparities in oncologic care during the COVID-19 pandemic

• DOI: 10.62347/rnjs4301
• Publication Date: 2025-03-28T03:15:45Z
• Authors: Brian D Cortese
• Keywords: Pandemic; 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak

Codification of COVID-19-era use telemedicine as a permanent feature US healthcare has been discussed it may increase accessibility and equity. This study assesses whether is associated with improved differential access to cancer care for racial ethnic minorities. We conducted cross-sectional analysis the National Health Interview Survey from July 2020 December 2021 estimated prevalence utilization in both population (N=46,799) subgroup patients (N=7,784). Complex survey-weighted multivariable Poisson regression identified patient-level predictors risk ratios (RR) receipt. Two-way interaction between type race ethnicity assessed effect modification. Telemedicine was 35.5% [95% CI: 34.8%-36.2%] overall 48.7% 47.0%-50.4%] patients. Weighted revealed that non-Hispanic Black (NHB) Asian (NHA) individuals had lower receipt compared White (NHB RR: 0.87, 95% [0.83-0.92], P<0.01; NHA 0.8, [0.74-0.86], P<0.01). disparity disappeared among Adjusted difference (ARD) indicated no decreased by except breast ARD: -0.16, [-0.27-(-0.05)], P=0.01) lymphoma (Other -0.36, [-0.72-(-0.01)], P=0.05). Racial disparities population. While persisted two oncologic subgroups, equity care.