Telemedicine as a Gateway to Early-Phase Oncology Trials: Lessons from 14,000 Patients and Future Directions for Global Access and Equity

Key Points

• The aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of telemedicine in increasing access to early-phase oncology trials.
• Analyzed data from 14,000 patients to assess telemedicine's role in trial enrollment.
• Examined the uptake of telemedicine among different demographic groups, particularly Hispanic patients.
• Identified barriers such as cross-state licensure and reimbursement affecting access to trials.
• Telemedicine showed strong acceptance among Hispanic patients for trial enrollment.
• Post-PHE, there was a noticeable decline in telemedicine use among out-of-state patients.
• The findings highlight the need for policy reforms to ensure equitable access to clinical trials.