Speech and language therapist-led clinics for low-risk suspected head and neck cancer referrals: A qualitative study of ear, nose and throat surgeons' views.
Louise C Occomore-Kent, John C Hardman, Justin W G Roe and 3 others
PMID 39660964WHAT IT FOUND
ENT surgeons supported the idea of speech therapists assessing low-risk cancer referrals but disagreed on how to do it safely.
They highlighted that therapists need dedicated time, specific endoscopy training, and clear governance rules, rather than just adding this to their existing workload.
Key findings
01Surgeons generally supported the model in principle, but views on implementation varied significantly regarding supervision, community settings, and patient expectations.
02A major barrier identified was the legal and professional uncertainty around therapists making mucosal diagnoses, with calls for national governance frameworks and clear competency standards.
03Participants emphasized that successful implementation requires dedicated job plans for therapists, rather than absorbing the role into existing general workloads, and specific training in endoscopy.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study only interviewed 11 surgeons, so it may not capture all viewpoints in the profession. The findings reflect perceptions and opinions, not actual clinical outcomes or safety data from these clinics. Participants were not given the chance to check their transcripts or quotes for accuracy.
Declared interests
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the surgeons' support for the model as evidence that it is safe or effective. This study reports opinions on how to implement the service, not results on patient outcomes or diagnostic accuracy.