Listening to the voice of patients with head and neck cancer: A systematic review and meta‐synthesis

Abstract

The aim was to conduct a systematic review and a meta‐synthesis of primary qualitative studies exploring experiences of head and neck cancer patients (HNC) undergoing radio and/or chemotherapy, in order to provide a better understanding of this phenomenon and supply new directions for care and clinical practice. Six databases were systematically searched, and 13 studies were included. The meta‐synthesis methodology was adopted to conceptualise the way in which patients lived their cancer journey and the impact of treatments on their daily life. Four themes embracing various aspects of HNC patients’ experiences were identified: (a) self‐body image and perceived quality of life; (b) experiences and treatment of symptoms; (c) cancer journey; and (d) the relationship with health professionals. The finding demonstrates the importance of acknowledging that treatment sequelae and patients’ daily issues do not appear, develop and affect people's lives in isolation and should be considered and analysed as a whole within the social and cultural context of patients’ lives. Further research is needed to explore the treatment experience of HNC patients throughout their cancer journey with a more holistic approach that involves health professionals, caregivers and other family members and peers in the community.

Value and Quality of Care in Head and Neck Oncology

“…Even in the context of clinical trials, the compliance of patients in providing the information may be poor unless the individual results are also actually used in practice [81]. Nonetheless, for (shared) decision making and weighing oncological outcomes against quality of life outcomes, the measurement and knowledge of quality of life issues are essential [82][83][84][85][86].…”

Patients' illness narratives—From being healthy to living with incurable cancer: Encounters with doctors through the disease trajectory

“…The last decades have seen an increasing research interest in patients' experiences of living with a cancer disease . Doctor‐patient communication has also been a central research topic for many years, and many different communication models are recommended, such as the SPIKES model and the Four Habits model .…”

Undergoing head and neck cancer surgery: A grounded theory

“…Indeed, many HNC cases are surgically treated, and their outcomes are often disfiguring, with negative impact on body image (Adelstein et al., ). The facial region is an important aspect of personal identity, and changes in its image often cause intense suffering and embarrassment (Fingeret et al., ; Macgregor, ), which may lead to changes in relationships with family members and friends and discomfort in professional interactions, up to social isolation and global threats to individual well‐being (Qualizza et al., ; Rhoten, Deng, Dietrich, Murphy, & Ridner, ). Moreover, many patients have to face significant changes in functions such as communication, breathing, swallowing and the sense of taste (Harrison et al., ; Howren, Christensen, Hynds Karnell, Van Liew, & Funk, ).…”

“…1990), which may lead to changes in relationships with family members and friends and discomfort in professional interactions, up to social isolation and global threats to individual well-being (Qualizza et al, 2018;Rhoten, Deng, Dietrich, Murphy, & Ridner, 2014). Moreover, many patients have to face significant changes in functions such as communication, breathing, swallowing and the sense of taste (Harrison et al, 2009;Howren, Christensen, Hynds Karnell, Van Liew, & Funk, 2013).…”