Randomized controlled trial of a multisite speech pathology telepractice service providing swallowing and communication intervention to patients with head and neck cancer: Evaluation of service outcomes.

Randomized controlled trial of a multisite speech pathology telepractice service providing swallowing and communication intervention to patients with head and neck cancer: Evaluation of service outcomes.

Head Neck. 2017 Feb 22;:

Authors: Burns CL, Ward EC, Hill AJ, Kularatna S, Byrnes J, Kenny LM

Abstract
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to present our evaluation of a new speech pathology telepractice service supporting the swallowing and communication management of patients with head and neck cancer.
METHODS: A multicenter randomized controlled trial was conducted within a large public cancer service. Referrals from speech pathologists at 3 regional sites (spoke sites) were managed by a specialist clinician from a cancer center (hub site) either via standard care (phone/email support/appointments at the hub site) or a newly established telepractice service (online consultation between the hub site and spoke site).
RESULTS: Eighty-two referrals (39 for standard care and 43 for telepractice care) were managed. Service efficiency favoring the telepractice model was reported with a significant reduction in the number (p = .004) and duration (p = .024) of contact events required to manage the referrals. Higher consumer and clinician satisfaction was also reported for the telepractice service.
CONCLUSION: A speech pathology telepractice service benefits both the patient and health provider through higher service efficiency and treatment satisfaction. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2017.

PMID: 28225567 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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