Randomized controlled trial of a multisite speech pathology telepractice service providing swallowing and communication intervention to patients with head and neck cancer: Evaluation of service outcomes

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to present our evaluation of a new speech pathology telepractice service supporting the swallowing and communication management of patients with head and neck cancer. MethodsA multicenter randomized controlled trial was conducted within a large public cancer service. Referrals from speech pathologists at 3 regional sites (spoke sites) were managed by a specialist clinician from a cancer center (hub site) either via standard care (phone/email support/appointments at the hub site) or a newly established telepractice service (online consultation between the hub site and spoke site). ResultsEighty-two referrals (39 for standard care and 43 for telepractice care) were managed. Service efficiency favoring the telepractice model was reported with a significant reduction in the number (p = .004) and duration (p = .024) of contact events required to manage the referrals. Higher consumer and clinician satisfaction was also reported for the telepractice service. ConclusionA speech pathology telepractice service benefits both the patient and health provider through higher service efficiency and treatment satisfaction. (c) 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 39: 932-939, 2017