Rapid First Contact Using Virtual Visits to Improve Time-To-Treatment for Uterine Cancer

Time to treatment (time from disease diagnosis to initiation of treatment) impacts outcomes
in uterine cancer. When controlled for stage, patients with longer time to treatment tend to
have less favorable outcomes. Similarly, longer time to treatment has a negative impact on
patients' quality of life and markers for anxiety. Our experience at this institution
suggests that the time to referral (time from uterine cancer diagnosis and the patients'
first encounter with the oncologist) is variable and presents the greatest opportunity for
decreasing time to treatment. Among the factors that contribute to the time to referral are
the time taken by the referring provider to relay the diagnosis to the patient, time taken to
schedule an appointment with the specialist, and the patient's availability to keep an
appointment.

Virtual visits provide an opportunity to expedite consultation with the treating oncologist
by removing some of the barriers that delay face-to-face visits. Among these barriers are
patients' availability for a short notice face-to-face visit based on their work or family
obligations, access to transportation, and mental preparedness.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Uterine cancer diagnosis on biopsy read by Cleveland Clinic Pathology Department

- Patients must be willing to participate in a virtual visit as the initial meeting with
an oncologist at the Cleveland Clinic.

- Receive care at Fairview Hospital, Hillcrest Hospital or Cleveland Clinic Main Campus

- Internet connected smartphone or internet connected computer with webcam

- Participants must have email access

- English speaking

- Competent to make clinic decisions

Exclusion Criteria:

- No diagnosis of uterine cancer