title: Measuring health-related quality of life outcomes in head and neck reconstruction.
abstract: A qualitative study was undertaken to understand the impact of omitted health concepts in existing patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments for health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) evaluation following head and neck (H&N) cancer reconstruction. Twenty-six patients were interviewed. Patients described a broad range of symptoms. Oral competence, rhinorrhea, facial sensation, smile, vision and eye discharge are missing from existing PRO instruments. Altered appearance was a major stressor; both function and appearance changes had a negative psychosocial impact leading to social isolation and embarrassment. This framework is the foundation for development of a more complete PRO instrument, the FACE-Q Oncology.
authors.affiliation: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgical Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, MRI 1007, New York, NY 10065, USA.
authors.forename: Claudia R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Albornoz
authors.forename: Andrea L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Pusic
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Reavey
authors.forename: Amie M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: Anne F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Klassen
authors.forename: Stefan J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Cano
authors.forename: Peter G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Cordeiro
authors.forename: Evan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Matros
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires