Development of a Telehealth Intervention for Head and Neck Cancer Patients.

Head and neck cancer and its multidisciplinary treatment entail difficulties in communication confounded by the communication disabilities that may be associated with surgical treatment. In a population with a strong likelihood of limited computer skills, a simplified communication with video and telephony was refined by algorithms appropriate for this population and developed in a Phase I effort. A randomized control trial was designed and 75 patients enrolled. In the intervention group, compliance was 84% over 99 days and patient acceptance was quite high. Data analysis for comparison without intervention is ongoing for outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]