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Palliative care management of head and neck cancer patients among otolaryngology surgeons: a novel national survey assessing knowledge, decision making, perceived confidence and training in the UK

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 May 2022

A Lotfallah ,
S Al-Hity Open the ORCID record for S Al-Hity [Opens in a new window] ,
J Limbrick ,
N Khan  and
A Darr
A Lotfallah*
Affiliation:
ENT Department, New Cross Hospital, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, UK
S Al-Hity
Affiliation:
ENT Department, New Cross Hospital, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, UK
J Limbrick
Affiliation:
ENT Department, New Cross Hospital, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, UK
N Khan
Affiliation:
John Taylor Hospice, Birmingham, UK
A Darr
Affiliation:
ENT Department, New Cross Hospital, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, UK
*
Author for correspondence: Mr A Lotfallah, ENT Department, New Cross Hospital, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Wolverhampton Road, WolverhamptonWV10 0QP, UK E-mail: a.lotfallah@nhs.net
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Abstract

Objective

Management of head and neck cancer patients provides unique challenges. Palliation serves to optimise quality-of-life by alleviating suffering and maintaining dignity. Prompt recognition and management of suffering is paramount to achieving this. This study aimed to assess perceived confidence, knowledge and adequacy of palliative training among UK-based otolaryngologists.

Method

Eight multiple-choice questions developed by five palliative care consultants via the Delphi method were distributed over five weeks. Knowledge, perceived confidence and palliative exposure among middle-grade and consultant otolaryngologists were assessed, alongside training deficits.

Results

Overall, 145 responses were collated from middle-grade (n = 88, 60.7 per cent) and consultant (n = 57, 39.3 per cent) otolaryngologists. The mean knowledge score was 5 out of 10, with 22.1 per cent (n = 32) stating confidence in palliative management. The overwhelming majority (n = 129, 88.9 per cent) advocated further training.

Conclusion

A broad understanding of palliative care, alongside appropriate specialist involvement, is key in meeting the clinical needs of palliative patients. Curriculum integration of educational modalities such as simulation and online training may optimise palliative care.

Keywords

Palliative CareHead And Neck Cancer Squamous Cell CarcinomaTraining ProgramsCurriculum
Type
Main Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 136 , Issue 9 , September 2022 , pp. 799 - 808
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED

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Footnotes

Mr A Lotfallah takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

Presented as a poster at The Midland Institute of Otorhinolaryngology and South Western Laryngological Association Joint Summer Meeting, 11 May 2021, online.

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