Video Visit with Oncology Doctor

We live in a remote area and frequently do video visits with oncologists and others. I find them just as good as an in person visit. It is not always worth an 8 hr round trip drive for a half hour appointment.

I just had my first video appointment to discuss my scans this week. I usually travel from Atlanta to Rochester. I had a list of questions written down. I felt it went just as well as in-person appointments.

Thank you so much…. make me feel good others had good experiences.

Yes, video appointments are great! I travel 2 hours plus (round trip) and requested a video appointment and my request was honored. Just have your list of questions ready and enjoy the experience.

My home is in Tucson, southern Arizona. It’s between a five or six hour round trip to Mayo in Phoenix. Video visits save time, expense, and stress.

I’ve had great video visits with doctors from Mayo. Surgical oncology, radiation oncology, palliative care, and infectious diseases. As noted in other posts it is essential to have questions prepared before the visit. I would add to this that having a spouse/partner, family member, or friend there can be very helpful. They can take notes, ask clarifying questions, and provide support if news is bad.

All this being said, I love my appointments in the clinic with my oncologist Doctor Zoey Harris. Well worth the time, money, and stress involved. Our appointments take the time needed rather than a scheduled block of time. Questions are answered, options discussed, unwanted truths spoken and compassion shown. Very human, very personal.

@ashley2235
Hi Ashley, it’s my understanding that doctors cannot consult across state lines with video consults unless licensed in the state. I’m also in Georgia.
Are you not finding that to be true?

@gamaryanne I think that would be a state-based limitation, probably on the patient end (state in which care is being received).

I have quarterly video appointments from Florida with a Texas provider; no license issues have cropped up, but they do insist on seeing me in-person at least once per year in Texas.

The video appointments with the oncologist in general are good, but you typically don't get the "pre-visit" with a PA/NP or Fellow beforehand. Sometimes that offers an opportunity to unload more or have them prepare or investigate questions before the oncologist enters the room.

Video lag, audio drop-outs, and sometimes foreign accents can add difficulty to a video appointment, especially if the remote doctor is wearing a mask. Body language and lip-reading can help prevent dropping important information, but not always enough to be worth an in-person trip.

If it's your first visit to a new doctor, I recommend doing it in person. If you have a good, ongoing relationship and none of the issues above, video is fine.

Travel to Texas always costs me at least two days off work, but if they're doing additional tests or scans, I generally find it worthwhile.

Traveling at least once is also a good way to find out how practical more frequent travel for a clinical trial to another state would be. I visited one center of excellence that was just a 90-minute flight from home, but the only affordable airfare there was on an airline so horrible it ruled that center out.

@altc321, you may appreciate the tips shared in this related discussion:
- Telemedicine: How to make the most of a virtual doctor visit
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/covid-19-telemedicine-its-a-brave-new-world/

I'm also in Georgia & my first oncology visit was a Zoom conference with a Florida Mayo doctor.
When I asked my prognosis, I was told 2-4 months without treatment; 11 months with treatment. Saw my Georgia oncologist 2 days later & I was a wreck. My husband & I were still in shock! Thank God it will be 2 years in June since that prognosis. I did email my Zoom doctor to tell him I had survived the first year! May do it again as I am approaching our "2nd anniversary".
I did tell him he should defer & say that a lot depends on you & how you tolerate your treatments. I do not know if he was licensed in Georgia.

That was very difficult news to hear via video.
You are a champ! Two years and much living to go! Congratulations.

Doctors experienced with this disease know there are caveats to survival and for how long. They should explain things in those terms. There are more and more survivors now and they should acknowledge that as well!