Head and neck cancer services: views of patients, their families and professionals.
OBJECTIVE
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.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings highlight areas that could be improved which would benefit both patients and professionals.
Edwards
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King's Fund Centre, RCS Department of Dental Sciences, King's College School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK.
D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D008297:Male; D016522:Oncology Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010358:Patient Participation; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D006113:United Kingdom