Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40304500›Full record

ArticleOtolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery2025

Implementation Mapping to Identify Strategies to Increase Timely Postoperative Radiotherapy Initiation for Head/Neck Cancer.

Laila A Gharzai, Jaymie Bromfield, Michelle Kwan, Alexis Larson, Janine A Kingsbury, Adil Akthar, Gaurava Agarwal, Julia H Vermylen, Sara Becker, Kelli Scott and 2 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Laila A GharzaiDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6420-9274
Jaymie BromfieldDepartment of Otolaryngology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Michelle KwanFeinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Alexis LarsonDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Janine A KingsburyDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Adil AktharDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Gaurava AgarwalDepartment of Psychiatry, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Julia H VermylenDepartment of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Sara BeckerDepartment of Psychiatry, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Kelli ScottDepartment of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Amelia E Van PeltDepartment of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Katelyn O StepanDepartment of Otolaryngology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveTimely initiation of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is associated with improved survival, but rates of timely PORT initiation are low. To support uptake in a tertiary academic center, we aimed to identify implementation determinants (eg, barriers and facilitators) to timely PORT initiation and to design context-specific implementation strategies.

methodsWe created an implementation blueprint through a sequential mixed-methods study where we (1) identified determinants by fielding a 15-item survey based on the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), (2) prioritized determinants through focus groups with relevant stakeholders, (3) mapped barriers to implementation strategies using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR)-Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) matching tool, and (4) operationalized strategies using the Action, Actor, Context, Target, Time (AACTT) framework.

resultsTwenty-three participants from three departments (61% Radiation Oncology, 35% Otolaryngology, 4% Medical Oncology) in a variety of roles (35% physicians, 39% nurses or advanced practice providers, 22% radiation therapists or dosimetrists, and 4% research coordinators) completed surveys. Participants identified 10 determinants affecting timely PORT initiation. After strategy selection and operationalization by focus group participants (n = 13), three ERIC strategies were selected for clinical implementation: remind clinicians, conduct educational meetings, and facilitate relay of clinical data to providers. DISCUSSION: This work developed a menu of implementation strategies for future deployment to support timely PORT initiation. Codesign centered the voice of frontline workers, increasing the likelihood of successful implementation. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The systematic approaches to development can serve as a model for process improvement in other contexts.

Indexed as

Head and Neck NeoplasmsSquamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and NeckTime-to-TreatmentFocus GroupsHumansRadiotherapy, AdjuvantSurveys and Questionnairesclinical qualityhead/neck cancerPS/QIradiotherapy

Identifiers

PMID40304500
PMCPMC12207378

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.