How embracing digital transformation can help stop the decline in cancer referrals

Murray Ellender, GP and CEO, eConsult discusses how digital technology can be used to help and refer patients who are worried about their health.

The devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is having huge ramifications across our healthcare ecosystem. While the NHS and clinicians work tirelessly to protect patients and fight the virus, the focus required on containing it has come at a cost to other areas of care that could have consequences in the long haul.

One area of healthcare that has been affected by the fight against COVID-19 is cancer diagnosis and treatment. Research published by the Lancet Oncology Journal found that disruptions to cancer screening and referrals, both key to early diagnosis, as well as reductions in seeking healthcare services due to the pandemic, could result in around 3,500 potentially avoidable deaths from the four main cancers in England by 2025.

These figures are a cause for concern. While it was necessary to encourage people to stay at home at the height of the pandemic to reduce the spread of the virus, this has potentially resulted in many who had concerns or symptoms not seeking help.

Anyone with worrying symptoms needs to be seen and receive the appropriate diagnostic tests at the earliest possible point in order to improve patient outcomes. Cancer Research UK found that people with eight of the most common cancers are three times more likely to survive when diagnosed early. In order to increase a patient’s chance of survival, symptom recognition, identification, diagnostic tests and treatment need to happen quickly.

With COVID-19 still in our midst and patients, especially those that are vulnerable, needing to stay safe, how can we ensure people are receiving the care they need?

One way to take on this challenge is by allowing people who have concerns to receive care and support remotely. This is where technology can be a solution, in particular online consultation and triage platforms. These systems give patients the ability to simply go online, provide information on any symptoms they are experiencing and share this information with their GP. Clinicians can then use the details provided to advise on the best course of action through different remote channels such as email, text, telephone or video consultations. In a time when reducing infection rates is key, face-to-face consultations can be reserved for when necessary. Individuals who are unable or uncomfortable with going online benefit from improved access to their GP over the telephone, meaning access improves for the entire patient population.

Digital consultations can provide patients with the confidence that they can receive care while keeping safe from exposure to the virus or infecting others. The flexibility to share information on symptoms at any time also allows GPs to monitor any changes in conditions and if they have concerns, refer patients for tests if required. This technology and process of caring for patients has the potential to help stop the fall in cancer referrals and bring diagnosis rates back to pre-COVID-19 levels as access to care is readily available to all. 

At eConsult, we have seen how technology is being embraced. Between February and July this year we saw a substantial rise in usage of our platform, with nearly three million consultations taking place online during this six-month period. Since lockdown, 90% of patients have received support remotely but even as lockdown eases patients and practices are continuing to make the most of these platforms. In July 800,000 eConsults were submitted, compared to 325,000 in March.

However, even with restrictions easing COVID-19 remains a primary concern for the NHS, especially as we see the likely emergence of a second wave of the virus in multiple countries and regional lockdowns across the UK. With this being the case, digital consultation alternatives for practices and patients will need to become part of the norm if we want to continue to treat patients safely and tackle the decreasing cancer referral rates caused by the pandemic.

By embracing technology and raising awareness of its accessibility and benefits, GP practices can ensure they continue to provide the highest level of care to their patients. Reversing the decline in cancer referrals will benefit patient outcomes and also the subsequent costs of treating patients with later stages of the disease. The same applies to many diseases - we have the digital tools to enable monitoring and early diagnosis and to make the most of them, we all need to start using them effectively.