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Review
. 2020 Jun;42(6):1144-1146.
doi: 10.1002/hed.26211. Epub 2020 Apr 27.

Navigating the impact of COVID-19 on palliative care for head and neck cancer

Arjun Gurmeet Singh  1 , Jayita Deodhar  2 , Pankaj Chaturvedi  1
Affiliations
Review

Navigating the impact of COVID-19 on palliative care for head and neck cancer

Arjun Gurmeet Singh et al. Head Neck. 2020 Jun.

Abstract

Health care services are being confronted by a daily dilemma of who can receive critical care and who cannot. In a palliative care clinic, this apprehension gets exemplified, as these patients have limited life expectancy. The head and neck region further makes things critical, as it comprises of all the sites through which the SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted. This document strives to define the ways in which the head and neck cancer services can contribute to better patient care in a triage context. Practical steps suggested are protective equipment use, ensuring access to critical drugs (such as opioids), greater use of telemedicine consultations, discussing advance care plans, and embracing the role of a wider community support.

Keywords: COVID-19; coronavirus; head neck; palliative care; pandemic.

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Conflict of interest statement

None of the authors have any conflict of interest to declare.

References

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