International journal of language & communication disorders
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Int J Lang Commun Disord · May 2014
Survivors' experiences of dysphagia-related services following head and neck cancer: implications for clinical practice.
It is known that people with dysphagia experience a number of negative consequences as a result of their swallowing difficulties following head and neck cancer management (HNC). However their perceptions and experiences of adjusting to dysphagia in the post-treatment phase, and the services received to assist this process, has not been studied. ⋯ The interviews revealed the need for both greater access to services and a desire for services which address the multitude of issues faced by people with dysphagia following HNC in the post-treatment period. Speech and language therapists managing this caseload need to ensure post-treatment services are available and address not only the physical but also the emotional and psychosocial changes impacting people with dysphagia in order to assist them to adjust to, and live successfully with dysphagia. Further research should be conducted to support the development of innovative services and to highlight dysphagia-related survivorship issues to governing bodies/policy makers.