Evaluation of patient specific care needs during treatment for head and neck cancer

Lara Schorn; Julian Lommen; Christoph Sproll; Gertrud Krüskemper; Jörg Handschel; Julia Nitschke; Benjamin Prokein; Nils-Claudius Gellrich; Henrik Holtmann

doi:10.1016/j.oraloncology.2020.104898

Evaluation of patient specific care needs during treatment for head and neck cancer

Oral Oncol. 2020 Nov:110:104898. doi: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2020.104898. Epub 2020 Jul 13.

Authors

Lara Schorn¹, Julian Lommen², Christoph Sproll¹, Gertrud Krüskemper³, Jörg Handschel⁴, Julia Nitschke⁵, Benjamin Prokein⁶, Nils-Claudius Gellrich⁷, Henrik Holtmann⁸

Affiliations

¹ Department of Oral-, Maxillo- and Plastic Facial Surgery, University Clinic Düsseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany.
² Department of Oral-, Maxillo- and Plastic Facial Surgery, University Clinic Düsseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany. Electronic address: julian.lommen@med.uni-duesseldorf.de.
³ Department of Medical Psychology, Ruhr University of Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, Building MA 0/145, 44780 Bochum, Germany.
⁴ Department of Oral-, Maxillo- and Plastic Facial Surgery, Kaiserteich Medical Center, Reichstr. 59, 40217 Duesseldorf, Germany; Medical School, Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
⁵ Department of Neurosurgery, University Clinic Düsseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany.
⁶ Department of Oral-, Maxillo- and Plastic Facial Surgery, University Medicine Rostock, Schillingallee 35, 18057 Rostock, Germany.
⁷ Department for Oral-, Maxillo- and Plastic Facial Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
⁸ Department of Oral-, Maxillo- and Plastic Facial Surgery, Malteser Clinic St. Johannes, Johannisstraße 21, 47198 Duisburg, Germany.

PMID: 32674039
DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2020.104898

Abstract

Background: Tumorous diseases of the head and neck region annually occur in more than 550.000 cases worldwide. Little is known about patient specific care needs and potential relationships between non-fulfillment of those following therapeutic and especially surgical treatment of head and neck cancer (HNC).

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate potential correlations between patient specific care needs, regarding physiological rehabilitation, family/social support, economic needs, and their impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Methods: A total of 1359 patients were included in this retrospective analysis. Data derived from the exploratory international multicenter rehabilitation study of the German-Austrian-Swiss Cooperative Group on Tumors of the Maxillofacial Region (DÖSAK), including 43 oral and maxillofacial departments in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland using the Bochum patient questionnaire on rehabilitation and a questionnaire on tumor and treatment related data.

Results: Results showed a significant correlation of a patient's social bonds and depression, coping with depression, and anxiety. Patients' needs for speech therapy, physiotherapy or respiratory training were hardly ever met and patients had to compensate for financial losses during hospitalization for acute treatment.

Conclusion: In conclusion, this study describes social, physical, and socio-economic care needs. A multidisciplinary approach managing cancer and treatment related side effects is necessary, as well as enhanced awareness of care needs of practitioners during early recovery after surgery.

Keywords: Care needs; Economic status; Head and neck cancer; Oral cancer; Physiotherapy; Quality of life; Speech therapy.

MeSH terms

Adaptation, Psychological
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Disease Management
Female
Head and Neck Neoplasms / diagnosis
Head and Neck Neoplasms / epidemiology*
Head and Neck Neoplasms / psychology
Head and Neck Neoplasms / therapy
Hospitalization
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Outcome Assessment, Health Care
Patient Satisfaction*
Patient-Centered Care*
Public Health Surveillance
Retrospective Studies
Social Support
Socioeconomic Factors
Young Adult