Development and Pilot Evaluation of Rehabilitation Consult for Survivors of Head and Neck Cancer

A RC for survivors of head and neck cancer (HNC) was developed in collaboration with an Advisory Panel that includes survivors, family members, health care professionals, and health system representatives. This phase of the study aims to conduct a pilot evaluation of the RC using a mixed method, single group study with a convenience sample of approximately 35 survivors of HNC post primary cancer treatment, recruited from the Princess Margaret Cancer Center HNC clinics. In addition to the RC intervention, participants will be required to attend 3 research assessments (pre intervention, post intervention, and 1 month follow-up) that are a combination of face-to-face visits and telephone calls.

Quantitative data analysis will be exploratory and descriptive, and effect sizes will be calculated for all outcomes to help plan for a future, controlled trial. Means, standard deviations, and Cohen's d effect size will be calculated for normally distributed data. For non-normally distributed data, medians, ranges, and a nonparametric effect size r will be calculated. For qualitative analysis, all interviews will be audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using a two-phased, hybrid approach that is both deductive and inductive. Findings will be summarized and reported to the Advisory Panel, who will then make recommendations regarding any additional modifications to the RC. The research team will make final decisions about RC modifications and will finalize a version for future evaluation.