An Evaluation of Current Services Available for People Diagnosed with Head and Neck Cancer in the UK (2009-2010)

Jeffreys, M.; Hughes, C.; Ness, A.; Persson, M.; Thomas, S.; Hughes, Cathy; Ness, Andy; Persson, Martin; Homer, J.; Jeffrey, M; Bradley, P.; Nutting, C.; Thomas, Sandy; Waylen, A.; Leary, S.

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate current care and service provision for people with head and neck cancer in the UK. Materials and Methods: Self-report questionnaires for cancer networks, clinical leads of oncology units and leads for multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) were designed. These questionnaires were based on a previous survey. Questionnaires were sent out between 2009 and 2010. Results: Questionnaires were received from all networks (n = 37), most oncology units (48 of 53) and most MDTs (51 of 63). Care for people with head and neck cancer is increasingly being provided by a centralised MDT. The membership of these teams varies; facilities available for team meetings are fit for purpose in most cases. MDTs are meeting frequently (weekly meetings in 96%) and discussing on average 18 cases at each meeting (95% confidence interval 15-21 cases). Most oncologists have access to all common anti-cancer drugs and most have access to all forms of radiotherapy. Intensity-modulated radiotherapy is not yet available in some oncology units (28%). A small number of units have only one oncologist (13%). Despite audit and research being part of the rationale for MDT working, regular discussion of morbidity and mortality is unusual (40%) and use of a database to record decisions is not universal. Only seven centres record decisions into the Data for Head and Neck Oncology database. Reported recruitment to studies is generally low (

Citation

Thomas, S., Persson, M., Ness, A., Hughes, C., Jeffreys, M., Hughes, C., …Thomas, S. (2012). An Evaluation of Current Services Available for People Diagnosed with Head and Neck Cancer in the UK (2009-2010). Clinical Oncology, 24(10), 187-192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clon.2012.07.005

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Dec 1, 2012
• Journal: Clinical Oncology
• Print ISSN: 0936-6555
• Electronic ISSN: 1433-2981
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 24
• Issue: 10
• Pages: 187-192
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clon.2012.07.005
• Keywords: head and neck cancer, multidisciplinary teams
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/944953
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clon.2012.07.005