Experiences of patients with laryngectomies as they reintegrate into their community

Abstract

Patients with laryngectomies face major changes in lifestyle related to altered airway, loss of voice, body image concerns, and challenges with eating. Support of family, friends, and health care professionals is critical for successful transition during this stressful period. Instant messaging, email, Web-based support groups, and video messaging can contribute to a great improvement in communication and engagement for this population.

A Participatory Design Approach to Develop a Web-Based Self-Care Program Supporting Early Rehabilitation among Patients after Total Laryngectomy

“…In line with others [1,2] , our study revealed that patients experience challenges in their rehabilitation process related to physical changes, in relation to psychological concerns [30] , and with regard to integrating their new situation into their everyday life. Because of its low priority, 'Information how to manage emotions' was not included.…”

“…This approach resulted in more insight into patients' self-care needs and in high levels of satisfaction among patients and speech therapists in the usability tests. While a couple of (Web-based) interventions to promote self-management in head and neck cancer patients have been developed [27,28] , 'In Tune without Cords' is the first Webbased intervention to support laryngectomees, hereby fulfilling the reported need for a Web-based self-care program [2] . Affecting motivation, skill building, and behavioral change demands instructional strategies that move beyond text on a screen.…”

“…Following total laryngectomy, patients can encounter challenges while returning home [1,2] . Changes in altered airway, swallowing, taste, loss of voice and nasal function, difficulties in neck and shoulder movement, and social embarrassment have a profound effect on a patient's quality of life [3,4] .…”

“…Providing e-health (using information and communication technology, especially the Internet, to improve health care [8] ) has the potential to be (cost-)effective, to improve quality of life, and to have beneficial effects on health literacy, decision-making, health care participation, psychological well-being, and physical activity levels [9,10] . Alongside usual care for laryngectomees, e-health offers an innovative approach to promote self-care education [11] and has great potential to enhance recovery, improving hospital-to-home transition, accessibility of supportive care [12] , and reintegration into the community [2] . However, to our knowledge there are no Web-based self-care programs for patients after total laryngectomy.…”

The national landscape of unplanned 30‐day readmissions after total laryngectomy

“…As such, TL is most commonly reserved for those who fail chemoradiation, have extensive disease with contiguous spread or cartilage invasion, or present with a nonfunctional larynx . Despite the accepted indications, TL is known to negatively impact patient quality of life in several domains including speech, eating, aesthetics, and social interactions …”