The role of allied healthcare professionals in head and neck cancer surveillance: A systematic review

Abstract

Objectives:The roles of Allied Health Care Professionals (AHPs) in Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) are wide ranging but not clearly defined. Inter-regional variability in practice results from a lack of standardisation in approaches to the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) make-up and structure. Traditionally, the follow-up of HNC patients is clinician led with multiple scheduled follow-up appointments. The increasing population of HNC patients provides logistical, monetary and efficiency challenges. This systematic review presents the roles of the multiple AHP sub-groups in HNC with the aim of presenting how their differing skill sets can be integrated to modernise our approach in follow-up.

Identifying unmet needs and limitations in physical health in survivors of Head and Neck Cancer

“…This is confirmed by research that states that sHNC feel that allied health professional care is not needed or beneficial due to a blanket approach, and more targeted allied health professional care would be beneficial. (Rocke et al, 2020 ).…”

Clinicians' Views of Patient-initiated Follow-up in Head and Neck Cancer: a Qualitative Study to Inform the PETNECK2 Trial

“…First, follow-up often fails to meet patient needs, including information, holistic, survivorship and psychosocial support needs [ [4] , [5] , [6] , [7] ]. HNC patients have particularly diverse needs, due to extensive comorbidities and functional disruption [ 6 , 8 ], not accounted for by the ‘blanket approach’ to follow-up care [ 6 , 9 ]. Second, current follow-up regimens may not be the most effective or cost-effective at detecting cancer recurrence [ [10] , [11] , [12] , [13] ], nor provide a survival advantage [ 14 ].…”

“…In prospective studies, recurrence was more commonly identified via patient-identified symptoms than at appointments [ 29 , [31] , [32] , [33] ] and in a feasibility study of ‘enhanced’ follow-up (patient education and encouragement to contact the clinic) patients did make contact regarding ‘red flag’ symptoms [ 34 ]. Risk-stratified follow-up is also recommended in HNC [ 5 , 9 , 13 , 17 , 35 ], e.g. de-intensified follow-up for lower risk of recurrence [ 13 , 36 , 37 ].…”

Radiotherapy and Management in Maxillofacial Prosthodontic: Part 3 - Proposal for a Joint Sheet Between the Specialist in Maxillofacial Prosthodontics and the Radiotherapist / Oncologist

“…En effet, ce dernier est en mesure de dépister les pathologies orales et dentaires, d'indiquer leur prise en charge, de discuter les modalités du traitement antinéoplasique et de prendre en charge ses complications. L'accomplissement de cette démarche ne peut être assurée qu'à travers une communication entre les intervenants , en effet le partage d'expertise et d'idées constitue la clef de voûte d'une collaboration efficace [9]. Cette approche doit être appliquée dès la planification initiale du traitement jusqu'à sa mise en oeuvre [10].…”

“…Cette approche doit être appliquée dès la planification initiale du traitement jusqu'à sa mise en oeuvre [10]. Il existe néanmoins un manque de standardisation des approches de la multidisciplinarité [9]. Dans ce sens, la collaboration entre le prosthodontiste maxillo-facial et le radiothérapeute/oncologue est garante de la bonne prise en charge de ces patients.…”