Figures (2)  Tables (2)

    • Figure 1. 

      Assessment methods used by the responders. Multiple responses were allowed. FEES, fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing; PROM, patient-reported outcome measures, nonstandardised; SLPs, speech and language pathologists; PTs/LTs, physiotherapists/lymphedema therapists. "Other" was specified as patient-reported experiences. Analyzed sample (n = 52); missing data from 8 SLPs and 5 PT/LTs.

    • Figure 2. 

      Reported treatment methods for internal head and neck lymphedema. Multiple responses were allowed. SLPs, speech and language pathologists; PTs/LTs, physiotherapists/lymphedema therapists. Analyzed sample (n = 58); missing data from 4 SLPs and 3 PT/LTs.

    • Variables Measure SLPs (n = 28) PT/LTs (n = 37)a
      No. of HNC patients last year Median (IQR) 15 (1−400) 7 (1−160)
      Work experience in HNC 0−1 year, n (%) 6 (21.4) 5 (13.5)
      2−5 years, n (%) 12 (42.9) 9 (24.3)
      6−10 years, n (%) 6 (21.4) 8 (21.6)
      11+ years, n (%) 4 (14.3) 15 (40.5)
      Clinical settingb Inpatient care (%) 78 27
      Outpatient clinic (%) 89 89
      Before or during radiotherapy (%) 68 62
      HNC, head and neck cancer; SLP, speech and language pathologist. PT, physiotherapist; LT, lymphedema therapist. a Both PTs and LTs, n = 26; PTs only, n = 7; LTs only, n = 4. b Multiple responses allowed.

      Table 1. 

      Respondents' work experience.

    • Perceived competence in HNC Nonexistent Limited Good Very good
      SLPs, n (%) 0 (0%) 11 (39%) 12 (43%) 5 (18%)
      PTs/LTs, n (%) 0 (0%) 7 (19%) 28 (76%) 2 (5%)
      Perceived competence in I-HNL Nonexistent Limited Good Very good
      SLPs, n (%) 15 (54%) 11 (39%) 1 (4%) 1 (4%)
      PTs/LTs, n (%) 9 (24%) 24 (65%) 3 (8%) 1 (3%)
      Self-rated competence in head and neck cancer (HNC) and internal head and neck lymphedema (I-HNL), based on responses to "How do you grade your competence regarding head and neck cancer?" and "How do you grade your competence regarding internal head and neck lymphedema?" SLPs, speech and language pathologists; PTs/LTs, physiotherapists/lymphedema therapists. SLPs, n = 28; PTs/LTs, n = 37. No missing data.

      Table 2. 

      Self-rated competence in HNC management and I-HNL management.