H M Mehanna1, R P Morton. 1. Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire, Coventry, the Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham, UK. Hisham.Mehanna@uhcw.nhs.uk
Abstract
AIM: To quantify and qualify the use of quality of life (QOL) measures by head and neck cancer clinicians and to identify any impediments to the use of these measures. METHODS: Questionnaire survey of members of the Australia and New Zealand Head and Neck Society. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-eight of 187 (68.5 per cent) responded. Only 43 (34 per cent) had ever used a QOL questionnaire (QLQ), and only 17 (13 per cent) were currently using one. Impediments to QLQ use included clinicians' perceptions that QLQs were too time-consuming and conferred no proven benefit for clinical management. Nevertheless, 113 (88 per cent) respondents indicated willingness to use a minimum core QLQ--for routine clinical use and for research--but indicated a preference for a short (10-15 questions), quick (less than 10 minutes) questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS: Most head and neck cancer clinicians did not use a QOL measure routinely, with impediments to routine use being mainly clinician-based. Most respondents would use a minimum core QOL measure, especially if it were a short, quick consensus questionnaire.
AIM: To quantify and qualify the use of quality of life (QOL) measures by head and neck cancer clinicians and to identify any impediments to the use of these measures. METHODS: Questionnaire survey of members of the Australia and New Zealand Head and Neck Society. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-eight of 187 (68.5 per cent) responded. Only 43 (34 per cent) had ever used a QOL questionnaire (QLQ), and only 17 (13 per cent) were currently using one. Impediments to QLQ use included clinicians' perceptions that QLQs were too time-consuming and conferred no proven benefit for clinical management. Nevertheless, 113 (88 per cent) respondents indicated willingness to use a minimum core QLQ--for routine clinical use and for research--but indicated a preference for a short (10-15 questions), quick (less than 10 minutes) questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS: Most head and neck cancer clinicians did not use a QOL measure routinely, with impediments to routine use being mainly clinician-based. Most respondents would use a minimum core QOL measure, especially if it were a short, quick consensus questionnaire.