TeleCARE: An Emerging Tool Leading to Paradigm Shift in the Management of Maintenance Phase of Chemotherapy in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

'Teleconsultation Connecting ALL patients in Remote Expanses' (TeleCARE) was introduced to ensure continuity of care for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic; consultations were done via phone calls, and reports and prescriptions were shared on WhatsApp. This study reviewed the data of 35 patients with ALL receiving maintenance chemotherapy during the first and second wave of pandemic. 437 telephonic consultations were done over 6 months (73/month). The mean (SD) absolute neutrophil count (ANC, per μL) during teleconsultations was lower than that during physical visits [1754 (461) vs. 2272 (644); P < 0.001], with 55% of patients achieving the target ANC compared to 26% during in-person visits.