The role of the clinical nurse specialist in head and neck cancer care

Abstract

The numbers of head and neck cancers are increasing, coupled with the emergence of human-papillomavirus-derived disease with a shift of practice in care. The head and neck cancer patient pathway remains a difficult and fragmented pathway to experience, with arduous treatment regimens to endure together with acute and long-term effects of treatment. The clinical nurse specialist is a pivotal member of the multidisciplinary team, coordinating delivery of high-standard,seamless holistic and timely care to patients and carers. The nurse specialist team possesses in-depth knowledge of head and neck cancer, uses expert clinical decision-making skills for symptom management, and develops and delivers services in conjunction with members of the core and extended team. Their unique therapeutic relationship with patients contributes to the patient experience itself. A head and neck cancer diagnosis affects a patient's wellbeing and impacts on many emotional, psychological, social, physical, financial and sexual aspects of life for both the patient and carer. This requires input from all members of the multidisciplinary team, from the point of diagnosis, through to the treatment trajectory and beyond.