Exploring the Laryngectomy Pathway Experience-a Mixed-Method, Patient Journey Mapping Study of Two US Health Centres.

International journal of language & communication disorders · 2026 · Qualitative · SLP
Laurie Wennerholm, Clare L Burns, Elizabeth C Ward, Jasmine Foley, J K Rasamny, Craig Berzofsky, Gina Palma

Twelve laryngectomy patients in one US health system saw a median of 13 different professions in their first year. Care was rated mostly positive, but patients flagged gaps in pre-surgery preparation, phone communication, and paying for voice supplies — issues SLPs can address directly.

Key findings

1

In the first 12 months after surgery, patients had a median of 3 inpatient admissions, 7 medical visits, and 12 allied health appointments, with care provided by a median of 13 different professions (range 6–22 individual clinicians).

2

Patients rated their care experiences as largely positive (median 77% positive, 0% negative, 19% neutral), but qualitative analysis identified six challenge themes, including inadequate pre-surgery preparation, difficulty communicating by phone, and financial burden of laryngectomy consumables.

3

Patients from the suburban site (Site 1) travelled to 4–6 locations for care, while those at the tertiary site (Site 2) used 2–3 locations; the median round-trip distance per appointment was 24 miles (range 4–52 miles).

MethodologyResultsClinical Relevance

Single-blind randomized controlled trial. Sixty-four participants were randomized across two intervention arms and assessed at twelve weeks for the primary outcome…

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