Head and Neck Cancer Services: Views of Patients, Their Families and Professionals

Objectives: To explore views of patients, their families and professionals about head and neck cancer services.

Methods: Focus group interviews of 33 patients and relatives and 33 professionals from four hospitals and two patient support groups in SouthEast England.

Results: Although patients and relatives were grateful for their care, many thought that some areas could be improved. Many thought that their ward facilities were inappropriate. Patients wanted to have more information about the impact of their treatment and about different treatment options whereas professionals tended to concentrate on giving information about the details of operations. Counselling services were often found to be inaccessible and inappropriate. Administrative difficulties were a major source of frustration for professionals, as were failure of treatment and communication difficulties. Professionals valued joint clinics and a team approach in keeping up to date, in clinical decision making, and in providing mutual support.

Conclusion: The findings highlight areas that could be improved which would benefit both patients and professionals.