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. 2022 Aug 31;29(9):6277-6286.
doi: 10.3390/curroncol29090493.

The Art of Counseling in the Treatment of Head and Neck Cancer: Exploratory Investigation among Perceptions of Health Professionals in Southern Italy

Raffaele Addeo  1 , Luca Pompella  1   2 , Pasquale Vitale  1 , Silvia Ileana Sara Fattoruso  1 , Ilaria Di Giovanni  1 , Francesco Perri  3 , Michele Caraglia  4   5 , Morena Fasano  2 , Raffaele Arigliani  6
Affiliations

The Art of Counseling in the Treatment of Head and Neck Cancer: Exploratory Investigation among Perceptions of Health Professionals in Southern Italy

Raffaele Addeo et al. Curr Oncol. .

Abstract

(1) Background: Recurrent and/or metastatic patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma show a poor prognosis, which has not changed significantly in 30 years. Preserving quality of life is a primary goal for this subset of patients; (2) Methods: A group of 19 physicians working in South Italy and daily involved in head and neck cancer care took an anonymous online survey aimed at revealing the level of knowledge and the application of communication techniques in daily patient care; (3) Results: Several specialists, 18 out 19 (95%), considered that patient participation in therapeutic choices is mandatory. The main obstacles to complete and reciprocate communication still consist of lack of time and staff, but also in the need for greater organization, which goes beyond the multidisciplinary strategy already used; (4) Conclusions: A greater impulse to training and updating on issues related to counseling can improve communication between the different clinicians involved in the treatment plan.

Keywords: counseling; metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck; open communication.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Major barriers for patient-centered care.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Objectives to be chased to improve doctor–patient counseling.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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