The Symphony of Consumer Partnering and Clinical Governance: An Organizational Review Using the RE-AIM Framework.

Introduction: Partnering with Consumers in healthcare systems is now widely accepted and mandated in many countries. Despite this acceptance, there is minimal information regarding the best practice of how to successfully establish systems to embed this practice into healthcare systems.

Methods: This evaluation used the RE-AIM implementation framework to retrospectively analyse data from a 3-year timeline to review the events relating to the transition of Consumer Partnering into a Clinical Governance Unit.

What are the functional outcomes and service experiences of patients with head and neck cancer treated during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Introduction: Head and neck cancer (HNC) care was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The current study aimed to explore the functional outcomes and service experiences of patients with HNC treated during and prior the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Mixed methods were used to (1) retrospectively compare HNC patients' functional outcomes and allied health service usage across two time-controlled cohorts and (2) understand the experiences of HNC care using validated surveys and qualitative interviews.

Partnering with Consumers - Why would I do it? What is it? How do I do it?

Health care and research are increasingly mandating consumer involvement in the planning, design and evaluation of services, quality projects and research. The editorial reviews the Australian progress with accreditation processes in research and provides practical direction in an area that is unfamiliar to many researchers and clinicians.

Biofeedback Enabled CALM (BeCALM)-the feasibility of biofeedback on procedural anxiety during radiation therapy: study protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Patients undergoing treatment for cancer who require radiation therapy (RT) report anxiety specifically relating to the RT procedure. Procedural anxiety can be detrimental to treatment delivery, causing disruptions to treatment sessions, or treatment avoidance. Acute procedural anxiety is most commonly managed with anxiolytic medication.

A Prospective, Longitudinal and Exploratory Study of Head and Neck Lymphoedema and Dysphagia Following Chemoradiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer.

The aim of the study was to examine the following: (a) the trajectory of external and internal head and neck lymphoedema (HNL) in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) up to 12 months post-chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and (b) the relationship between HNL and swallowing function. Using a prospective longitudinal cohort study, external/internal HNL and swallowing were examined in 33 participants at 3, 6 and 12 months post-CRT. External HNL was assessed using the Assessment of Lymphoedema of the Head and Neck and the MD Anderson Cancer Centre Lymphoedema Rating Scale.

A prospective observational cohort study examining the development of head and neck lymphedema from the time of diagnosis.

Introduction: Head and neck lymphedema can occur in the internal or external structures of the head and neck region. Little is known about the development of this condition over the course of treatment for head and neck cancer. This study aimed to observe the development of internal and external lymphedema from diagnosis to 12 weeks postacute treatment.

Telehealth cancer-related fatigue clinic model for cancer survivors: a pilot randomised controlled trial protocol (the T-CRF trial).

Introduction: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most common and debilitating adverse effects of cancer and its treatment reported by cancer survivors. Physical activity, psychological interventions and management of concurrent symptoms have been shown to be effective in alleviating CRF. This pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) will determine the feasibility of a telehealth CRF clinic intervention (T-CRF) to implement evidence-based strategies and assess the impact of the intervention on CRF and other clinical factors in comparison to usual care.

Head and neck lymphoedema-research challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Management of secondary head and neck lymphoedema has undergone little research investigation. Its treatment is time and labour intensive and involves multiple therapeutic modalities without a clear understanding of which is most effective. This study aimed to determine the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial comparing two therapeutic modalities to manage head and neck lymphoedema.

Rethinking the Meaning of "Wellness" for a Person with Cancer: A Qualitative Study to Explore What Elements Constitute "Wellness".

Objective: This study explored what people with cancer and their family members define as wellness, and what they perceive to be the needs to support wellness during the cancer experience.

Methods: This study utilized qualitative focus groups underpinned by an interpretative descriptive design. Participants included people with a cancer diagnosis having completed/currently undergoing cancer treatment, and/or family/friends.

Occupational therapy for people with mask anxiety undergoing radiotherapy.

Introduction: Up to one third of people with head and neck cancer undergoing radiation therapy experience mask anxiety. However, there is limited literature guiding the role of health professionals, including occupational therapists, in managing mask anxiety. This study aimed to explore the content of occupational therapy interactions with people who have identified mask anxiety.

Conventional supportive cancer care services in Australia: A national service mapping study (The CIA study).

Aim: Cancer and its treatment produce significant acute and long-term adverse effects in cancer survivors, resulting in a range of supportive cancer care needs across the disease trajectory. To enhance supportive cancer care in Australia, this study sought to understand and describe conventional services offered nationwide, specific to their structure (ownership, setting, duration), process (participants, delivery mode, referral pathways), and outcomes (evaluation).

Methods: A survey canvassing 13 conventional supportive cancer care interventions was electronically distributed to 265 cancer organizations in all Australian states and territories over 2019 and 2020.

Association between external and internal lymphedema and chronic dysphagia following head and neck cancer treatment.

Background: To examine the relationship between chronic external and internal head and neck lymphedema (HNL) and swallowing function in patients following head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment.

Methods: Seventy-nine participants, 1-3 years post treatment were assessed for external HNL using the MD Anderson Cancer Centre Lymphedema Rating Scale, and internal HNL using Patterson's Radiotherapy Edema Rating Scale. Swallowing was assessed via instrumental, clinical and patient-reported outcome measures.

Comparing the prevalence, location, and severity of head and neck lymphedema after postoperative radiotherapy for oral cavity cancers and definitive chemoradiotherapy for oropharyngeal, laryngeal, and hypopharyngeal cancers.

Background: This study aimed to examine the prevalence, location, and severity of chronic internal, external, and combined head and neck lymphedema (HNL) in patients with head and neck (HNC) who were treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) or postoperative radiotherapy (PORT).

Methods: Sixty-two participants between 1 and 3 years post-treatment were recruited. Internal HNL was rated with Patterson's Scale.

Communicating Actively, Responding Empathically (CARE): Perceptions of Cancer Health Professionals Attending Communication Training Workshops.

Communication skills training is standardly offered to health professionals working in cancer; however, there is no consensus on the precise style or duration of training, which is most effective. This study aimed to examine the experiences of health professionals who had participated in either a 1-day communication skills training workshop focusing on experiential learning or a 2-h workshop in which participants discussed different communication styles demonstrated on purpose-designed videotapes. Twenty health professionals comprising ten from each workshop type participated in a semi-structured interview with an interpretative descriptive design.

A prospective examination of mask anxiety during radiotherapy for head and neck cancer and patient perceptions of management strategies.

Introduction: Distress related to wearing an immobilisation mask for radiotherapy treatment (RT) is a common experience for the person undergoing RT for head and neck cancer (HNC). Described as 'mask anxiety', there is little known about the patterns of this distress through the course of the treatment or what strategies are being used by people to help alleviate mask anxiety.

Methods: The study used a prospective cohort design to examine the patterns of patient-reported mask anxiety during the course of RT, using a modified Distress Thermometer (DT) and a survey to explore strategies patients used to assist their mask anxiety.

Communicating Actively Responding Empathically (CARE): Comparison of Communication Training Workshops for Health Professionals Working in Cancer Care.

Accessing full-day communication skills training can be challenging for health professionals working in cancer care. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of Communicating Actively, Responding Empathically (CARE Express), a modified 2-h communication skills training course, across measures of health professional confidence, skills and attitudes. Cancer care health professionals (n = 147) were recruited from allied health, nursing and medical disciplines, using a partial randomisation to allocate to three arms: control, two-hour training (CARE Express) and 1-day training (CARE).

Exploring the prevalence and experience of mask anxiety for the person with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy.

Introduction: While use of a thermoplastic mask during radiotherapy (RT) treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC) is an essential component of safe patient care, there is little understanding of the extent to which this evokes anxiety (i.e. "mask anxiety") for the person undergoing treatment.

A mixed methods examination of distress and person-centred experience of head and neck lymphoedema.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the course and nature of distress and quality of life (QoL) during and after head and neck lymphoedema (HNL) treatment in people who developed HNL following treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC).

Methods: This study (n = 10) used a mixed method explanatory design to explore distress associated with HNL. Component 1 used a prospective repeated measures design to examine distress during a 22-week HNL program.

Patient perceptions of living with head and neck lymphoedema and the impacts to swallowing, voice and speech function.

Head and neck lymphoedema (HNL) is common following head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment, and may contribute to numerous physical, functional and psychological symptoms. However, its impact on swallowing, voice and speech is less well understood. The aim of this study was to use interpretive description to explore patient perceptions relating to the impact of HNL on swallowing, voice and speech.

Head and neck lymphedema management: Evaluation of a therapy program.

Background: The purpose of this pilot study was to examine a therapeutic intervention for head and neck lymphedema. The 22-week intervention involved therapist-led care and participant self-management. Effectiveness was evaluated using a previously described lymphedema assessment tool, the Assessment of Lymphedema of the Head and Neck (ALOHA) to detect change over the course of the 22 weeks of treatment, and before and after a single treatment session.

"ScreenIT": Computerized screening of swallowing, nutrition and distress in head and neck cancer patients during (chemo)radiotherapy.

Background: In light of growing service demands, the use of computerized screening processes have been proposed to optimize patient triage and enhance the efficiency and synergy of multidisciplinary care practices. This study evaluated the accuracy of a novel system, ScreenIT, to detect swallowing, nutrition and distress status in HNC patients receiving (chemo)radiotherapy ([C]RT), and facilitate appropriate referrals for MDT management.

Materials And Methods: Patient-reported data obtained from ScreenIT was compared to blinded face-to-face assessment by speech pathology/dietetic clinicians across five domains: side-effects, swallowing/oral intake, nutrition, distress, and need for supportive care services.

Measuring head and neck lymphedema: The "ALOHA" trial.

Background: There is no clinical assessment available to measure head and neck lymphedema. This study proposes the use of a tape measurement system and the MoistureMeterD (MMD) to evaluate head and neck lymphedema.

Methods: The reliability and validity of these assessments was examined in 20 patients with head and neck lymphedema and 20 matched healthy controls.

Pilot study of an assessment tool for measuring head and neck lymphoedema.

Head and neck lymphoedema (HNL) is a persistent symptom for many patients following head and neck cancer treatment. There is limited research into the benefits of lymphoedema treatment with this population. This pilot study (n=8) employs the Assessment of Lymphoedema of Head and Neck (ALOHA) system to evaluate treatment changes in this clinical population.