Variation in routine follow-up care after curative treatment for head-and-neck cancer: a population-based study in Ontario.

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Variation in routine follow-up care after curative treatment for head-and-neck cancer: a population-based study in Ontario.

Curr Oncol. 2018 Apr;25(2):e120-e131

Authors: Brennan KE, Hall SF, Owen TE, Griffiths RJ, Peng Y

Abstract
Background: The actual practices of routine follow-up after curative treatment for head-and-neck cancer are unknown, and existing guidelines are not evidence-based.
Methods: This retrospective population-based study used administrative data to describe 5 years of routine follow-up care in 3975 head-and-neck cancer patients diagnosed between 2007 and 2012 in Ontario.
Results: The mean number of visits per year declined during the follow-up period (from 7.8 to 1.9, p < 0.001). The proportion of patients receiving visits in concordance with guidelines ranged from 80% to 45% depending on the follow-up year. In at least 50% of patients, 1 head, neck, or chest imaging test was performed in the first follow-up year; that proportion subsequently declined (p < 0.001). Factors associated with follow-up practices included comorbidity, tumour site, treatment, geographic region, and physician specialty (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: Given current practice variation and the absence of an evidence-based standard, the challenge in identifying a single optimal follow-up strategy might be better addressed with a harmonized approach to providing individualized follow-up care.

PMID: 29719436 [PubMed - in process]

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