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Telephone consultation for two-week-wait ENT and head and neck cancer referrals: initial evaluation including patient satisfaction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 October 2021

A Rovira ,
S Brar ,
T Munroe-Gray ,
E Ofo ,
C Rodriguez  and
D Kim
A Rovira*
Affiliation:
ENT/Head and Neck Department, Croydon University Hospital, London, UK ENT/Head and Neck Department, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
S Brar
Affiliation:
ENT/Head and Neck Department, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
T Munroe-Gray
Affiliation:
ENT/Head and Neck Department, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
E Ofo
Affiliation:
ENT/Head and Neck Department, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
C Rodriguez
Affiliation:
mathematician, Institutos de Educación Secundaria (IES) Bages Sud, Castellbell i el Vilar, Spain
D Kim
Affiliation:
ENT/Head and Neck Department, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
*
Author for correspondence: Mr Aleix Rovira, ENT Department, St George's Hospital, Blackshaw Rd, Tooting, LondonSW17 0QT, UK E-mail: aleix.rovira@gstt.nhs.uk
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Abstract

Objective

To analyse the outcomes of telephone consultation, including patient satisfaction, for two-week-wait head and neck cancer referrals.

Methods

Analysis of the data of this prospective study was centred on outcomes of the consultation, patient satisfaction and preference for telephone consultation.

Results

Patient satisfaction and preference for telephone consultation were influenced by patient awareness of cancer referral. When comparing the three most common presenting symptoms, patients with sore throat were more satisfied than those with neck mass. Regarding telephone consultation outcomes, patients with neck mass were less likely to be discharged and more likely to require investigations than those with sore throat or hoarseness. Patients with hoarseness more often required a face-to-face appointment.

Conclusion

Telephone consultation might be a valid initial encounter for the majority of two-week-wait head and neck cancer referrals, especially when the referral symptoms are considered. This work shows the validity and safety of telephone consultation for two-week-wait head and neck cancer referrals.

Keywords

Outpatient CareConsultationHead And Neck CancerReferralTelemedicinePatient Satisfaction
Type
Main Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 136 , Issue 7 , July 2022 , pp. 615 - 621
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED

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Footnotes

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

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