The missing member of the head and neck multidisciplinary team: the psychologist. Why we need them

The aim of this article is to present the latest published material to demonstrate the service activity for the head and neck cancer team.

There is a growing literature confirming the importance of many psychological issues that impact on the experience of the patient following diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancer. Although there may be some recognition by some members of the multidisciplinary team to involve psychological services there is now ample evidence from the results of this literature to argue that the psychologist should feature as a full member of the multidisciplinary team. Activities would include formal assessment of psychological features of the patient and carer, interpretation of psychometric data including distress and quality of life inventories, design and implementation of interventions and supervisory support for the work pressures experienced by the multidisciplinary team.

The care of the head and neck patient involves a large variety of psychosocial factors. Many of these issues require formal assessment and interpretation that the professional psychologist can input into the care programmes for these patients.