Psychological management for head and neck cancer patients: United Kingdom National Multidisciplinary Guidelines (original) (raw)
Related papers
Psychological responses and support needs of patients following head and neck cancer
International Journal of Surgery, 2006
The patient with head and neck (H&N) cancer is prone to psychological distress immediately following diagnosis and during the treatment phase. Lowered mood is typical and tends to extend beyond the treatment phase. There is little evidence for a specific treatment method predicting a characteristic psychological response. Rather, patients' reactions vary widely according to fears of recurrence, health beliefs, personality, coping and available support. Patient reports of quality of life show a return to pre-treatment status after a year but are determined to some degree by initial depression levels and dispositional factors such as optimism. Information provided to patients (e.g. leaflets, booklets of written guidance) by specialist treatment centres about the disease and its management require sustained effort in their design and distribution. Our understanding of patient responses to this disease has improved and has assisted in the development of psychological interventions. Controlled trials will provide important evidence of the components, effects and sustainability of these experimental programmes, and improve overall care plans for this often neglected patient group.
Psychological issues in head and neck cancer survivors: Need for addressal in rehabilitation
Oral Oncology, 2020
Rehabilitation in head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors is a lengthy process, based on multiple correlates and is associated with multiple challenges. The authors have tried to depict the psychological issues associated with the rehabilitation of these patients. Problems and discussion: HNC survivors have to undergo a traumatic and stressful process on the path to recovery. They may face are disfigurement, body image disturbances and limitation of activities which increases likelihood of anxiety and depression. The psychological state in these patients affect treatment adherence, successful rehabilitation, morbidity and overall survival through a multifactorial mechanism. Conclusions: There is need for multidisciplinary care in rehabilitation of head and neck cancer patients to help them cope with stress. Inclusion of a psychiatrist in the rehabilitation team is likely to lead to early evaluation and addressal of mental health concerns and improve quality of life and chances of survival.
2009
Head and neck cancer patients face considerable challenges as a result of their diagnosis and therapy. Psychosocial aspects are accepted as critically important in their care. Our hypothesis was that ‘carefully designed and structured questionnaires can be used to improve the quality of life of head and neck cancer patients’. This thesis reports the development of and findings from a series of studies considering the opinions and preferences of patients and clinicians about questionnaires and the process of care, supported by interviews and analysis of taped consultations. This work provided a detailed insight into aspects of head and neck cancer care from all perspectives. In summary, my main conclusions were: · The current practice of relying on consultations alone to manage the care of cancer patients does not ensure that all concerns are identified. This is particularly true for emotional and psychosocial issues. · There are substantial differences in patient characteristics, th...
Paradigm shift in head and neck oncology patient management
Journal of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery
Objective: This article describes a paradigm shift in what is considered to be good care for patients living with and after (head and neck) cancer. HNO patients often experience severe and difficult physical and psychosocial problems due to the nature and location of the disease. Many disciplines are involved in their treatment, so their voice is only one amongst many others in the decision making process. For this patient group it seems complicated to put the concept of Shared Decision Making into practice. As a step in this direction, patient reported outcomes which ask patients to select the disconcerting issues and symptoms can be used as a basis for referral, supportive care and treatment decision making. We need to provide more tailored and personalized information that is specific to individual circumstances, preferences and concerns and focuses more on the impact of treatment and access to help and support. Follow up of these patients should be concentrated on both medical and emotional aspects. Practice implications: A shift in the way caregivers provide their information contributes to a more profound involvement of patients in treatment decisions.
An International Journal of Otorhinolaryngology Clinics
Aims and objectives: • To determine the prevalence of psychological comorbidities in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients as compared to other ENT patients. • To determine the number of HNC patients requiring psychiatric treatment as compared to other ENT patients. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Patients with head and neck carcinoma were selected as cases and appropriate controls were selected after matching for age (±2 years), sex, religion, address, and socioeconomic status. Both groups completed two quality of life questionnaires, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) scale. Further evaluation for depression, anxiety, or any other psychiatric illnesses was done by a psychiatrist. Results: The cases scored significantly higher on the HADS and BDI scale and were found to have a higher incidence of depression, anxiety, suicidal tendencies, and adjustment disorders than their respective controls. Conclusion: The prevalence of psychological comorbidities is significantly higher in head and neck carcinoma patients as compared to other ENT patients. Measuring health-related quality of life should be incorporated as an integral part of the treatment regimen and patient management.
Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network : JNCCN, 2014
This study sought to improve mental health care for patients with head and neck cancers (HNCs) through the implementation of an evidence-based process for identifying and managing psychological distress. This process in an HNC medical oncology clinic was assessed and redesigned using quality improvement (QI) methods from November 2010 through April 2012. The redesign, starting in January 2011, involved a 2-component QI intervention: the validated NCCN Distress Thermometer and an evidence-based treatment decision algorithm. Screening processes were improved through Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles. Before January 2011, distress identification was based on a provider's clinical assessment. Cause-effect diagramming suggested that lack of a formalized process for distress assessment contributed to missed diagnoses. Providers were also unfamiliar with mental health resources. After implementing process changes, biweekly distress screening rates rose from 0% to 38% between January and ...
Life style management in head and neck cancer patients
Indian journal of otolaryngology and head and neck surgery : official publication of the Association of Otolaryngologists of India, 2013
Head and neck (HN) cancers involve highly visible body parts, structurally complex, and crucial to survival. A diagnosis of HN cancer, like any cancer diagnosis, is often accompanied by much fear and uncertainty. In addition, patients treated for HN cancer face difficulties in eating, chewing, drinking, breathing, speaking, as well as changes in appearance. Simultaneously, the burden of HN cancer is often manifested in psychosocial dysfunction, which can have a negative impact on quality of life (QL). Psychosocial interventions such as education along with cognitive-behavioral therapy generally provide an overall positive effect. With the growing impetus to investigate factors associated with these dysfunctions and disfigurement caused by the treatment, and considerable advancement in the development and validation of many global and disease-specific measures, there is an opportunity for further research to develop an appropriate clinical intervention program for such patients so th...