Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2023

Telepharmacy service models for adult outpatients with cancer: a systematic review    (#392)

Marissa Ryan 1 2 3 , Tara Poke 2 , Elizabeth C Ward 4 5 , Christine Carrington 2 6 , Centaine L Snoswell 1 3 6
  1. Centre for Online Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
  2. Pharmacy Department, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
  3. Centre for Health Services Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
  4. Centre for Functioning and Health Research, Metro South Hospital and Health Service, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
  5. School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
  6. School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

Aim: To review existing evidence regarding synchronous telepharmacy service models for adult outpatients with cancer, with a secondary focus on outcomes, enablers, and barriers. Methods: A PROSPERO registered systematic review was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, and EMBASE in March 2023. Search terms included pharmacy, telepharmacy, and outpatient. During article selection in Covidence, an extra inclusion criterion of synchronous cancer-focused services was applied; data extraction and narrative analysis were then performed. Results: From 2129 non-duplicate articles, 8 were eligible for inclusion, describing 7 unique patient populations. The service models included pre-treatment medication history taking, adherence monitoring, toxicity assessment, and discharge follow-up. The studies primarily used telephone and compared to no contact (n=3) or had no comparator (n=3), while others compared videoconsults and telephone (n=2). Studies found synchronous telepharmacy services can improve timeliness of care, optimise workload management, and provide individualised and convenient efficacy monitoring and counselling. One study of 177 patients on immune checkpoint inhibitors found 38% of the 278 telephone consults involved at least one intervention (41% of these relating to clinically significant immune-related adverse events). When videoconsults were compared directly with telephone consults for pre-treatment medication history, it was found scheduled videoconsults had a significantly higher success rate than unscheduled telephone consults, and that videoconsults also represented increased funding and equivalent time efficiency. When telephone follow-up was compared to no follow-up, improved treatment adherence was seen, and progression-free survival was significantly higher for the telephone group (6.1 months vs 3.7 months, p=0.001). Reported enablers included physician buy-in, staff resources, and proper utilisation of technology. Identified barriers included time investment required and technical issues. Conclusion: Both telephone and videoconsult modalities are being used to deliver synchronous telepharmacy services across a range of outpatient services. Although more evidence is needed, data to date supports positive service benefits and enhanced care.