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Telemedicine for Pediatric Cancer Care

ByLaura Kopp, BSN, RN

Finding Support with Telemedicine

When your child is diagnosed with cancer, life quickly becomes filled with countless appointments, treatments, and tough decisions. The daily routine you once knew can feel like a thing of the past. The Sassy Carmen Foundation understands how heavy that load can be and is dedicated to reducing the burdens you face. We know that even the simplest tasks, like getting to a doctor’s appointment, can become complicated. With recent advancements and growing use, telemedicine is now a powerful tool that can support you and your child throughout the cancer journey. For many families, this technology has been a game-changer. By enabling virtual connections with healthcare teams, telemedicine helps reduce common stressors of cancer care, making it easier for you to stay on top of your child’s treatment and well-being.

Managing the Demands of Cancer Care

Caring for your child with cancer means navigating a world of complex treatments. From chemotherapy and radiation to stem cell transplants and surgery, these therapies are often intense and can cause significant side effects. While regular check-ups with your child’s healthcare team are necessary to track treatment progress and manage symptoms, they can create challenges. You may need to arrange time away from your job, pull your child out of school, and even travel long distances to meet with specialists. In some cases, you may also need to arrange temporary lodging in order for your child to receive care. These visits can strain your schedule, finances, and emotional well-being. Travel costs can be daunting, and balancing home life with medical care can be exhausting. Telemedicine offers a valuable solution by providing a more affordable and convenient option to ease some of the stress during this challenging time.

Understanding Telemedicine

Telemedicine uses technology to share health information remotely with your child’s healthcare team. It enables you to connect with them, ask questions, provide updates, and receive guidance without ever having to leave home.

There are three main types of telemedicine services:

  1. Real-Time (Synchronous): This type is likely what comes to mind when you think of telemedicine. It involves live, interactive appointments with your child’s healthcare team. Examples include talking with your child’s oncologist or mental health provider from your smartphone, computer, or tablet. These virtual visits often provide a similar or improved quality of care compared to in-person ones.
  2. Store-and-Forward (Asynchronous): Sometimes you may need to share lab results, images, or other health data with your child’s healthcare team. With this form of telemedicine, you can securely send your child’s medical records to oncologists and other specialists for review at a later time.
  3. Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM): You can use digital tools at home to track your child’s health information, such as heart rate, temperature, and blood pressure. These devices send the data directly to the healthcare team, allowing for closer monitoring of your child’s condition and the ability to respond more quickly to changes.

How Telemedicine Can Help

Telemedicine offers many advantages that can significantly improve your child’s cancer care. Here are some of the ways it can help:

  • Brings Expert Care Closer: Telemedicine can expand access to specialized care that your child may not be able to receive otherwise. If your family lives in a rural area or far away from a major cancer center, you can now connect with specialists regardless of location.
  • Saves Time, Money, and Energy: Long drives, hotel stays, and time away from work and school can add up quickly. By removing the hassle of travel and limiting disruptions to daily life, telemedicine can help you save on expenses and spend less time away from your everyday routine.
  • Protects Vulnerable Immune Systems: In-person appointments with crowded waiting areas can increase the exposure to potential infections. These visits may feel especially unsafe if your child has a weakened immune system. Telemedicine lowers this risk by allowing your child to receive care from the safety of home.
  • Supports Emotional Well-being: Without stressful travel and long wait times in an office, you and your child will likely have a calmer and more positive healthcare experience. Your child can relax in a familiar and comfortable setting while maintaining a better sense of normalcy.
  • Keeps Care on Track: Regular check-ins with your child’s healthcare team are crucial throughout cancer treatment. Telemedicine makes it easier to keep up with appointments and allows for continuous monitoring of your child’s condition. With options such as virtual visits and remote monitoring devices, your child’s healthcare team can more quickly track and respond to changes.

Barriers to Using Telemedicine

While telemedicine offers many benefits, it may not be suitable in every situation. Here are some of its challenges and limitations:

  • Not Right for Every Visit: Some appointments simply require being there in person. For instance, telemedicine may not be appropriate if your child needs a physical exam, imaging, or treatment such as chemotherapy. If your child needs to attend an in-person appointment but getting there is a challenge, The Sassy Carmen Foundation can offer support through our transportation assistance program.
  • Technology Gaps: If you lack reliable internet, the right devices, or a comfort level with technology, it may be harder for you to utilize telemedicine services effectively. These barriers can make it difficult for you and your child to fully benefit from remote care. Your local library may be able to assist by providing the technology and support required to make telemedicine work.
  • Engagement Challenges: Your child, especially if they are younger, may struggle to stay focused and engaged while communicating through a screen. Preparing your child ahead of time for what to expect can help the visit go more smoothly.
  • Confusing Rules: Telemedicine rules and regulations vary by state and are subject to constant changes. It may not always be clear what is covered or allowed by your insurance. This uncertainty can create obstacles for you and your family when planning care. If you have questions, you can contact your child’s healthcare provider or insurance representative for guidance.
  • Privacy and Security Concerns: Shared devices, unsecured internet connections, or limited private space at home may make you feel uneasy about using telemedicine. While most platforms follow strict privacy rules, it is essential to ensure you have a secure and confidential environment.

Navigating the Road Ahead

While telemedicine may not replace every aspect of your child’s care, it can help make things more manageable. Telemedicine can make a meaningful difference by improving access to specialists, reducing travel demands, or offering added convenience and safety. The Sassy Carmen Foundation is here to support you and your child every step of the way. We hope embracing telemedicine will help lighten some of the weight you carry throughout this journey.

References

American Cancer Society. (n.d.). Treating childhood cancer. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/childhood-cancer/treating-childhood-cancer.html

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2020). Telehealth and cancer care. Telehealth.HHS.gov. https://telehealth.hhs.gov/providers/best-practice-guides/telehealth-and-cancer-care

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2020, June 30). Why use telehealth? Telehealth.HHS.gov. https://telehealth.hhs.gov/patients/why-use-telehealth

Gajarawala, S. N., & Pelkowski, J. N. (2020). Telehealth benefits and barriers. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 16(11), 849–851. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2020.09.013

Haynes, S. C., & Marcin, J. P. (2022). Pediatric telemedicine: Lessons learned during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and opportunities for growth. Advances in Pediatrics, 69(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yapd.2022.04.002

Houser, S. H., Flite, C. A., & Foster, S. L. (2023). Privacy and security risk factors related to telehealth services – A systematic review. Perspectives in Health Information Management, 20(1), 1f. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9860467/#sec1_1

Krupinski, E., Abbey, D., Muralidaran, M., & Strawley, G. (2025). Libraries as telehealth hubs: Bridging the digital divide and expanding health care access. Telemedicine Reports, 6(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1089/tmr.2024.0075

Phelan, R., Aremu, T. O., Karst, J., Anderson, L., Jordan, A., Morin, J., Nichols, J., Singh, A., Schmidt, D., Hoag, J. A., Napurski, C., Zweber, H., & Sadak, K. T. (2023). Perspectives on virtual care for childhood cancer survivors in non-metropolitan areas during the COVID-19 pandemic. Current Oncology, 30(9), 588. https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol30090588

Shah, A. C., & Badawy, S. M. (2021). Telemedicine in pediatrics: Systematic review of randomized controlled trials. JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting, 4(1), e22696. https://doi.org/10.2196/22696

UCSF Department of Pediatrics. (2024, September 20). How telemedicine can transform pediatric healthcare. University of California, San Francisco. https://pediatrics.ucsf.edu/news/how-telemedicine-can-transform-pediatric-healthcare

U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2021). Telehealth in pediatric care. National Institutes of Health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459384/

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