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Karen Knudsen: Telehealth – a critical tool for delivering equitable, accessible, and patient-centered care

Karen Knudsen/LinkedIn

Nov 19, 2024, 13:42

Karen Knudsen: Telehealth – a critical tool for delivering equitable, accessible, and patient-centered care

Karen Knudsen, Executive Strategic Advisor and Immediate Past CEO of the American Cancer Society (ACS), shared on LinkedIn:

“Telehealth Alert!

Telehealth proved its immense value during the pandemic as a critical tool for delivering equitable, accessible, and patient-centered care—especially for cancer patients. It bridges gaps in access to specialists, ensures continuity of care, and enhances quality of life for patients and their families.

However, a significant challenge lies ahead. Without congressional action, CMS reimbursement for telehealth and hospital-at-home programs will expire at the end of 2024. This could disrupt access to these essential services for millions of patients. Nice review of the current state from Becker’s Healthcare.

As we advance this conversation, let’s prioritize leveraging technology while keeping patient-centered care at the forefront. What are your thoughts on telehealth’s role in cancer care, and how can we work together to ensure its sustainability?”

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Karen E. Knudsen is the Executive Strategic Advisor and Immediate Past CEO of the American Cancer Society (ACS). Prior to joining ACS, Dr. Knudsen served as executive vice president of Oncology Services and enterprise director for Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson Health. She also served as president for the Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI) and on the board of directors of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). She serves on the board of advisors for the National Cancer Institute and on 12 external advisory boards for NCI-designated cancer centers. She is an active member of several committees with the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO), in addition to serving on other academic and for-profit advisory boards.