Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42124378›Full record

ArticleHead & neck2026

"It's the Exact Same Treatment … Except Only 5 Min Away": A RE-AIM Evaluation of a Speech-Language Pathology Shared-Care Model for Rural Patients With Head and Neck Cancer.

Corey Patterson, Elizabeth C Ward, Rebecca L Packer, Jasmine Foley, Laurelie R Wishart, Clare L Burns, Sally Pether, Wendy Comben

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Head & neck, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing 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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

8 authors.

Corey PattersonSpeech Pathology Department, The Townsville University Hospital, The Townsville Hospital and Health Service, Queensland Health, Townsville, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1613-203X
Elizabeth C WardCentre of Functioning and Health Research, Metro South Hospital and Health Service, Queensland Health, Brisbane, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2680-8978
Rebecca L PackerSchool of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5744-7757
Jasmine FoleySchool of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7998-5372
Laurelie R WishartCentre of Functioning and Health Research, Metro South Hospital and Health Service, Queensland Health, Brisbane, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9474-9121
Clare L BurnsSchool of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9752-1739
Sally PetherSpeech Pathology, The Mount Isa Hospital, North West Hospital and Health Service, Queensland Health, Mount Isa, Australia.
Wendy CombenSpeech Pathology Department, The Townsville University Hospital, The Townsville Hospital and Health Service, Queensland Health, Townsville, Australia.

Funding

Office of the Chief Allied Health Officer, Queensland Health
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundChallenges accessing post-treatment speech-language pathology (SLP) services can add to treatment burden for rural patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). Hence, the aim of this study was to evaluate a shared-care SLP service designed to support local SLP access for patients with HNC, using the RE-AIM framework.

methodsRE-AIM evaluation involved 5 staff and 23 patients. Data sources included service statistics, costs, quality of life measures, satisfaction surveys, and interviews.

resultsShared-care demonstrated strong reach and effectiveness: 91% of patients received most or all care locally. Average patient-attributable cost savings were AUD$801.94/person. Patients were highly satisfied, reporting equivalent care between local and tertiary services. Clinicians valued professional development and service integration. Communication systems and infrastructure assisted implementation. Policy alignment supported maintenance.

conclusionThe shared-care model enhanced rural SLP service access while maintaining quality care and lowering patient burden. Effective communication and clinical support were key enablers, demonstrating shared-care as a sustainable approach for rural post-HNC treatment SLP services.

Indexed as

Head and Neck NeoplasmsRural Health ServicesSpeech-Language PathologyAdultAgedFemaleHealth Services AccessibilityHumansMaleMiddle AgedPatient SatisfactionQuality of LifeRural Populationhead and neck cancerimplementationruralshared‐carespeech language pathology

Identifiers

PMID42124378
PMCPMC13653311

What OpenQuestion holds

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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.