TITLE:
Implementation of a Telechemotherapy Module in the Peruvian Jungle with Adequate Quality of Life: Breaking the Access Gaps to Health with Teleoncology
AUTHORS:
Tatiana Vidaurre, Jule Vásquez, Fernando Valencia, Cindy Alcarraz, Luis Más, Nataly Poma, Litol Becerra, Gino Rodriguez, Socorro Saldaña, Pepe Diaz, Silvia Neciosup, Karina Aliaga, Roxana Regalado, Miriam Salazar, Kavita Sarwal, Simon Sutcliffe, Julio Abugattas, Carlos Castañeda, Mónica Calderón, Hugo Fuentes, Henry Gómez
KEYWORDS:
Telechemotherapy Module, Cancer Treatment, Urban Tertiary Center, Teleoncology
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Cancer Therapy,
Vol.10 No.8,
August
21,
2019
ABSTRACT: Background: Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide as well as in Peru. The
national cancer plan includes decentralization, but one of the greatest
barriers is our complicated geography. San Martin is a department located in
the Peruvian jungle where there are no public services for cancer care. Our aim
was to implement a “distance telemedicine-enabled” outpatient chemotherapy
module, monitored by oncologists. Methods: The implementation was
conducted in 3 stages: 1) Planning and Organization: working teams were formed,
a chemotherapy room was developed and people were trained. 2) Execution:
patients from San Martín region, aged >18
years with pathological confirmation of cancer, requiring systemic
chemotherapy, ECOG Results: By November 2015, a module with a
chemotherapy room with 18 chairs, a pharmacy, a hospitalization room, 1 medical
office, a training room, a nutrition area, and a nursing station was implemented.
3 physicians, 3 nurses and 1 pharmacist were trained. Through March 2018, 501
sessions of teleoncology were completed to deliver 232 cycles of chemotherapy
for 56 patients aged 19 - 78 years with different
solid tumors, with no serious adverse event, without negatively affecting their
QoL, and with an average out-of-pocket expense saving of 500 PEN. Conclusions: Using information and communication technology, a telechemotherapy module was
successfully implemented in the Peruvian jungle, without adversely affecting
the QoL of patients. Neither patients nor family members needed to travel to
Lima to receive chemotherapy. This first program can be replicated in other
rural and remote regions through non-specialized personnel and facilities, providing chemotherapy services
equivalent to a tertiary center through trained health care professionals,
supported through telemedicine.