Treatment for head and neck cancer precipitates a myriad of distressing symptoms. Patients may be isolated both physically and socially, and may lack the self-efficacy to report problems and participate as partners in their care. The goal of a project by Head and coworkers was to design a telehealth intervention to address such isolation, develop patient self-efficacy, and improve symptom management during the treatment experience. Participatory action research and a review of the literature were used to develop electronically administered symptom management algorithms addressing all major symptoms experienced by patients undergoing treatment for head and neck cancers. Daily questions and related messages were then programmed into an easy-to-use telehealth-messaging device, the Health Buddy(R). Clinician and patient acceptance, feasibility, and technology issues were measured.

WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU AS A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER: The authors concluded that using participatory action research is an effective means for developing electronic algorithms acceptable to both clinicians and patients. The use of a simple tele-messaging device as an adjunct to symptom management was feasible, affordable, and acceptable to patients.

WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU IF YOU ARE A PATIENT: Telehealth interventions are likely to become the norm in the coming decades. The telehealth intervention described by the authors provided support and education to patients undergoing treatment for head and neck cancers. It is hoped that more research be conducted on the topic and, equally important, that it proves readily translated to practical use.

BA Head et al. Development of a telehealth intervention for head and neck cancer patients. Telemedicine Journal & E Health, 2009;15:44-52.