The role of community healthcare workers in head and neck cancer

A systematic scoping review of the literature

Datos Bibliográficos

ID15540988
AutoresEllen Meredith (0000-0001-7601-0692, Freeman Hospital, autor de correspondencia), James O’Donovan (0000-0002-7248-5436, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust), Linda Errington (0000-0002-1375-0033, Newcastle University), Manu Raj Mathur (0000-0001-5518-1935, Public Health Foundation of India), David W Hamilton (0000-0002-9653-6453, Freeman Hospital)
Año2022
Volumen17
Número12
Páginas3283-3302
Fecha de publicación2022-03-17
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaGlobal Public Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1744-1692 • E-ISSN: 1744-1706
EditorialTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/17441692.2022.2049847
PMID35298354
OpenAlexW4220883693
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas1
Referencias citadas37

It is estimated that Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) will cause over 500,000 deaths worldwide by 2030. This is coupled with a shortage of trained healthcare professionals to manage HNC. An alternative cadre of workers - community healthcare workers (CHWs) - could be deployed to address this shortage. A systematic scoping review was conducted. Seven major databases were searched from inception to 30 June 2021. Studies were included from across the globe and excluded if the focus was not on HNC or CHWs. We identified 13 studies for inclusion. Twelve were based in India. CHWs were deployed in education and awareness raising initiatives, community screening, and ensuring compliance with treatment and follow-up. CHWs were compared to specialists for effectiveness in four studies with one reporting sensitivity of 94·3% and specificity 99·3% for HNC screening. This review highlights ways in which CHWs can be deployed to meet the growing demand for HNC services. The existing evidence suggests that CHWs can have potential roles in screening for HNC, therefore facilitating an earlier diagnosis. It is important this screening is implemented where there is appropriate capacity to manage HNC. Further research needs to be carried out to explore barriers and facilitators to these programmes

Economic shortage · Family medicine · Health care · Inclusion (mineral · Medical education · MEDLINE · Political science · Systematic review · Dental Health and Care Utilization · Head and Neck Cancer Studies · Interpreting and Communication in Healthcare · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology