Speech pathology telepractice beneficial in head, neck cancer

Speech pathology telepractice beneficial in head, neck cancer

(HealthDay)—For patients with head and neck cancer, a multisite speech pathology telepractice service is associated with higher service efficiency and treatment satisfaction compared with standard care, according to a study published online Feb. 22 in Head & Neck.

Clare L. Burns, Ph.D., from Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital in Australia, and colleagues conducted a multicenter controlled trial within a large public cancer service. Referrals from pathologists at three regional sites were managed by a specialist clinician from a cancer center via standard care, which comprised phone, e-mail support, and appointments at the cancer center, or via a newly established telepractice service, which included online consultation between the and the regional sites. Data were included for 82 referrals that were managed: 39 for standard care and 43 for telepractice care.

The researchers found that service efficiency favored the telepractice model, with a significant decrease in the number and duration of contact events needed for referral management (P = 0.004 and P = 0.024, respectively). The telepractice service also had higher consumer and clinician .

"A speech pathology telepractice service benefits both the patient and health provider through higher service efficiency and treatment satisfaction," the authors write.

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Citation: Speech pathology telepractice beneficial in head, neck cancer (2017, March 4) retrieved 28 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2017-03-speech-pathology-telepractice-beneficial-neck.html
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