Introduction:
Patients with advanced head and neck cancer (HNC) are confronted with major sequelae and toxicities related to multimodal treatment. Coordination of the comprehensive management through a multiprofessional team and the involvement of the patient in the treatment and care decision (holistic care) is a promising approach. We implemented a preoperative multiprofessional information day (MUPID) in 2015 in our tertiary university hospital. The multiprofessional team (physician, nurse practitioner, speech therapist, social worker, psychooncologist) informs patients and their families about the surgery and postoperative care. Further, the team assess risk factors for complications (e.g. malnutrition, alcohol abuse) and take preventive, preoperative actions. This study aims to evaluate the effect of our MUPID on peri- and postoperative outcome in this high-risk population.
Methods:
This is a single armed study with a historical control cohort and included consecutive HNC patients undergoing complex surgery between 2012 and 2018. We compare outcomes before and after implementation of the MUPID. The primary endpoints are length of stay (LOS) in hospital and surgical complications within a follow-up of 30 days. Secondary endpoints are readmission, mortality and cost effectiveness.
Results:
One hundred and seventy patients were eligible and included in this study (intervention group: 85, control group: 85). The implemented MUPID is associated with a shorter LOS and reduced severity of postoperative complications. Results for secondary endpoints are pending.
Conclusion:
The implemented preoperative MUPID seems to reduce the LOS and the severity of complications due to improved care coordination, patients understanding of the proposed care and shared treatment decision.
