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European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology

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Open Access 01-06-2021 | Care | Head and Neck

A Nordic survey of the management of palliative care in patients with head and neck cancer

Authors: Helena Boëthius, Tiina Saarto, Göran Laurell, Lovisa Farnebo, Antti A. Mäkitie

Published in: European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology | Issue 6/2021

Abstract

Background

The five Nordic countries with a population of 27M people form a rather homogenous region in terms of health care. The management of Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) is centralized to the 21 university hospitals in these countries. Our aim was to survey the current status of organization of palliative care for patients with HNC in the Nordic countries as the field is rapidly developing.

Materials and methods

A structured web-based questionnaire was sent to all the Departments of Otorhinolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery and Oncology managing HNC in the Nordic countries.

Results

All 21 (100%) Nordic university hospitals responded to the survey. A majority (over 90%) of the patients are discussed at diagnosis in a multidisciplinary tumor board (MDT), but the presence of a palliative care specialist is lacking in 95% of these MDT’s. The patients have access to specialized palliative care units (n = 14, 67%), teams (n = 10, 48%), and consultants (n = 4, 19%) in the majority of the hospitals.

Conclusion

The present results show that specialized palliative care services are available at the Nordic university hospitals. A major finding was that the collaboration between head and neck surgeons, oncologists and palliative care specialists is not well structured and the palliative care pathway of patients with HNC is not systematically organized. We suggest that early integrated palliative care needs to be included as an addition to the already existing HNC care pathways in the Nordic countries.

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Title: A Nordic survey of the management of palliative care in patients with head and neck cancer
Authors: Helena Boëthius
Tiina Saarto
Göran Laurell
Lovisa Farnebo
Antti A. Mäkitie
Publication date: 01-06-2021
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Care
Palliative Care Unit
Published in: European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology / Issue 6/2021
Print ISSN: 0937-4477
Electronic ISSN: 1434-4726
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-020-06310-2

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

A Nordic survey of the management of palliative care in patients with head and neck cancer

Abstract

Background

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusion

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