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Harris JR, Lau H, Surgeoner BV, Chua N, Dobrovolsky W, Dort JC, Kalaydjian E, Nesbitt M, Scrimger RA, Seikaly H, Skarsgard D, Webster MA. Health care delivery for head-and-neck cancer patients in Alberta: a practice guideline. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 21:e704-14. [PMID: 25302041 DOI: 10.3747/co.21.1980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The treatment of head-and-neck cancer is complex and requires the involvement of various health care professionals with a wide range of expertise. We describe the process of developing a practice guideline with recommendations about the organization and delivery of health care services for head-and-neck cancer patients in Alberta. METHODS Outcomes of interest included composition of the health care team, qualification requirements for team members, cancer centre and team member volumes, infrastructure needs, and wait times. A search for existing practice guidelines and a systematic review of the literature addressing the organization and delivery of health care services for head-and-neck cancer patients were conducted. The search included the Standards and Guidelines Evidence (sage) directory of cancer guidelines and PubMed. RESULTS One practice guideline was identified for adaptation. Three additional practice guidelines provided supplementary evidence to inform guideline recommendations. Members of the Alberta Provincial Head and Neck Tumour Team (consisting of various health professionals from across the province) provided expert feedback on the adapted recommendations through an online and in-person review process. Selected experts in head-and-neck cancer from outside the province participated in an external online review. SUMMARY The recommendations outlined in this practice guideline are based on existing guidelines that have been modified to fit the Alberta context. Although specific to Alberta, the recommendations lend credence to similar published guidelines and could be considered for use by groups lacking the resources of appointed guideline panels. The recommendations are meant to be a guide rather than a fixed protocol. The implementation of this practice guideline will depend on many factors, including but not limited to availability of trained personnel, adequate funding of infrastructure, and collaboration with other associations of health care professionals in the province.
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Affiliation(s)
- J R Harris
- Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB
| | - H Lau
- Department of Oncology, Division of Radiation Oncology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB
| | - B V Surgeoner
- Guideline Utilization Resource Unit, CancerControl Alberta, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB
| | - N Chua
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB
| | - W Dobrovolsky
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB
| | - J C Dort
- Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB
| | - E Kalaydjian
- Department of Surgery, Section of Dentistry and Oral Health, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB
| | - M Nesbitt
- Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB
| | - R A Scrimger
- Department of Oncology, Division of Radiation Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB
| | - H Seikaly
- Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB
| | - D Skarsgard
- Department of Oncology, Division of Radiation Oncology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB
| | - M A Webster
- Department of Oncology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB
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