A Commentary on the Challenges of Telemedicine for Head and Neck Oncologic Patients during COVID-19

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented and historic event that presents unique challenges to patient care to medical providers worldwide. The pandemic and the ensuing rapid changes to medical practice have particularly affected head and neck cancer surgeons and their patients. In an effort to balance the needs of our patients with the risks to patient and staff safety, we have been tasked with finding alternatives to the traditional office visit. In this commentary, we discuss how telemedicine can be incorporated into the head and neck surgery practice, the challenges that we have faced, and the dilemmas with which we have dealt in our efforts to fulfill the ongoing need for care of this unique patient population.