Practices, knowledge and inter-professional relationships between speech pathologists and radiation therapists managing patients with head and neck cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

This study examined knowledge and practices of speech pathologists (SPs) and radiation therapists (RTs) regarding plan optimisation for head and neck cancer (HNC) patients, and the potential impacts on swallowing function. The secondary aim was to explore the level of interaction occurring between these professional groups within cancer centres.

Methods

Two electronic surveys, with matched questions for SPs and RTs, explored: service/institutional demographics; clinician awareness, practices regarding plan optimisation to swallowing structures and; relationships and interactions between SPs and RTs in the management of HNC patients. Participant recruitment occurred through specialist professional networks with additional snowball sampling. Data were analysed wit

SUBMITTER: Hutchison AR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6545474 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature