title: Are teleoncology models merely about avoiding long distance travel for patients?
abstract: Teleoncology models are used increasingly throughout the world as a means to provide access to quality cancer care for people in rural, remote and other disadvantaged settings. Some authors have suggested that teleoncology is merely about avoiding long distance travel. In this commentary we argue that the benefits of teleoncology extend beyond those of the patients and their families to the rural health system and beyond. We draw upon the literature and results of an evaluation of the Townsville Teleoncology Network (TTN) in North Queensland, Australia to support our arguments.
authors.affiliation: Townsville Cancer Centre & Tropical Centre for Telehealth Practice and Research, Townsville Hospital, Townsville, Australia; College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sabesan
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kelly
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000379:methods*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011793:Queensland; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012424:Rural Population; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*
keywords: cancer care; oncological outcome; policy; rural; telemedicine