Patient-reported telehealth experiences, medication adherence, symptom burden, and financial toxicity: A survey-based study.

e23258 Background: Telehealth may reduce geographic and logistical barriers to oncology care. Data on real-world uptake and patient-reported outcomes remain limited, yet are essential to inform telehealth delivery and policy. This study evaluated telehealth utilization, perceived barriers and benefits, medication adherence, symptom burden, and financial toxicity among cancer patients at a regional cancer center. Methods: In this cross-sectional pilot study, adults with cancer receiving care at the Wellstar Georgia Cancer Center were recruited over two months (November-December 2025). Surveys were administered in person and completed using secure electronic software. Collected data included demographics and cancer type; telehealth utilization and barriers; selected domains from the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (usefulness, ease of use, reliability, satisfaction); self-reported medication adherence; treatment-related side effects; and financial toxicity measured using the 12-item Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity (COST). Descriptive statistics summarized responses. Differences in patient-reported outcomes by telehealth use were assessed using chi-square and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Results: Among 53 participants, the median age was 68 years (IQR 59-73), 50% were female, and 19% resided in rural areas. Solid tumors were the most common diagnoses. Telehealth utilization was low, with 26% (14/53) reporting use of at least one modality (electronic messaging or phone/video visits). Most participants reported no barriers to telehealth use (74%, 39/53); lack of awareness or understanding of telehealth options was the most frequently reported barrier (8%, 4/53). Despite limited uptake, 62% (33/53) perceived telehealth as improving access to care or reducing travel burden, 60% (32/53) reported satisfaction with telehealth, 51% (27/53) reported ease of use and 23% (12/53) perceived telehealth as reliable. Medication adherence was high, with 85% (45/53) reporting full adherence over the prior 7 days. At least one treatment-related side effect was reported by 49% (26/53). COST scores (median 19) indicated moderate financial toxicity with substantial heterogeneity across participants. Patient-reported outcomes did not differ statistically by telehealth use; however, telehealth users numerically reported higher symptom burden (64% vs 44%) and slightly higher financial toxicity (median COST 20 vs 18) compared with nonusers. Conclusions: Telehealth utilization was low despite favorable patient perceptions and minimal barriers, suggesting that system-level factors may be limiting adoption. Higher reporting of side effects among telehealth users reflects its potential role in symptom management. Larger studies are needed to identify determinants of telehealth uptake and its associated patient-reported outcomes in oncology.