Laryngectomees in Norway. Study No. 2: pre-operative counselling and postoperative training evaluated by the patients and their spouses.

Twenty-six per cent of 189 Norwegian laryngectomees considered pre-operative counselling to be nonsatisfactory. Similarly, postoperative self-care training was rated nonsatisfactory by 55%. The quality of the pre-operative counselling had a significant influence on the patients' ability to perceive postoperative training which subsequently correlated with mastery of the laryngectomy event. Seventy per cent of the spouses felt that they had not been offered adequate counselling. The problems endured at home for 60% of them could have been amenable to relief by improved counselling. It is questionable if the teams in the different treatment and rehabilitation institutions were aware of all the requirements for the total treatment and rehabilitation of patients facing a laryngectomy.