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Unmet needs, quality of life and psychological distress: insights regarding head and neck cancer patients in a rural setting

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 September 2022

M Sunderland ,
C Matthews ,
D Waterhouse ,
S Shetty  and
R P Morton
M Sunderland*
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Northland District Health Board, Whangarei, New Zealand Department of Otolaryngology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
C Matthews
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Northland District Health Board, Whangarei, New Zealand
D Waterhouse
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Northland District Health Board, Whangarei, New Zealand
S Shetty
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Northland District Health Board, Whangarei, New Zealand Department of Otolaryngology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Counties Manukau District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand
R P Morton
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Counties Manukau District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand
*
Author for correspondence: Dr Michael Sunderland, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Northland District Health Board, Private Bag 9742, Whangarei 0148, New Zealand E-mail: michael.sunderland@northlanddhb.org.nz
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Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the perceived quality of life, unmet needs and psychological distress in patients with head and neck cancer in a rural setting in New Zealand.

Method

Patients presenting with head and neck cancer in Northland, New Zealand, were asked to complete questionnaires on quality of life, unmet needs, and anxiety or depression together with a free-text option.

Results

About one quarter of respondents (27 per cent) scored high in the anxiety and depression scale, with corresponding diminished quality of life scores and increased needs. Over half of respondents (54 per cent) found it challenging to travel for treatment. Financial difficulties were encountered more frequently with indigenous patients. Rurality alone does not lead to significant differences in quality of life or needs.

Conclusion

After treatment for head and neck cancer, it is important to monitor and manage patients’ psychological distress and ease of access to health services to improve quality of life.

Keywords

Head And Neck NeoplasmsQuality Of LifeDepressionAnxietyPsychological Distress
Type
Main Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 137 , Issue 1 , January 2023 , pp. 89 - 95
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED

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Footnotes

Dr M Sunderland takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

Presented at New Zealand Society of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery annual meeting, 17–19 October 2018, Queenstown, New Zealand.

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