[Netherlands] Electronic health in the palliative care pathway for patients with head and neck cancer

[Netherlands] Electronic health in the palliative care pathway for patients with head and neck cancer
JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery; Boyd N. van den Besselaar, MD; Kira S. van Hof, MD; Aniel Sewnaik, PhD; Robert. J. Baatenburg de Jong, PhD; Marinella P. J. Offerman, PhD; 11/24
Head and neck cancer (HNC) generally has a poor prognosis, with more than 40% disease-specific mortality, ... with a median survival of 4 to 5 months. Given the unique nature of HNC, with a wide range of specific cancer-related symptoms, special consideration should be given to end-of-life care. In this quality improvement study, patients and next of kin were satisfied with most aspects of the hybrid palliative care pathway, and remote care seemed to be a promising means of delivery. These insights represent the initial steps toward gaining a deeper understanding of patients’ needs during specific moments in a hybrid palliative trajectory. They may support health care professionals in optimizing personalized and value-based palliative care delivery.