title: Multidisciplinary service utilization pattern by advanced head and neck cancer patients: a single institution study.
abstract: Purpose. To analyze the patterns and associations of adjunctive service visits by head and neck cancer patients receiving primary, concurrent chemoradiation therapy. Methods. Retrospective chart review of patients receiving adjunctive support during a uniform chemoradiation regimen for stages III-IV head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Univariate and multivariate models for each outcome were obtained from simple and multivariate linear regression analyses. Results. Fifty-two consecutive patients were assessed. Female gender, single marital status, and nonprivate insurance were factors associated with an increased number of social work visits. In a multivariate analysis, female gender and marital status were related to increased social work services. Female gender and stage IV disease were significant for increased nursing visits. In a multivariate analysis for nursing visits, living greater than 20 miles between home and hospital was a negative predictive factor. Conclusion. Treatment of advanced stage head and neck cancer with concurrent chemoradiation warrants a multidisciplinary approach. Female gender, single marital status, and stage IV disease were correlated with increased utilization of social work and nursing services. Distance over 20 miles from the center was a negative factor. This information may help guide the treatment team to allocate resources for the comprehensive care of patients.
authors.affiliation: New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Jacqueline C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Junn
authors.forename: Irene A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Marianna L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Zahurak
authors.forename: Marietta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Katherine Y
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Spencer T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Lake
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zaboli
authors.forename: Barbara P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Messing
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ulmer
authors.forename: Karen B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Harrer
authors.forename: Dorothy
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gold
authors.forename: Keri L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Ryniak
authors.forename: Eva S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Zinreich
authors.forename: Mei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Marshall A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Levine
authors.forename: Ray G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Blanco
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Saunders
authors.forename: Joseph A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Califano
authors.forename: Patrick K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Ha