Integration of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Clinical Practice for Head and Neck Cancer Patients: A...

Background: Head and neck cancer (HNC) and its multimodal treatment substantially impair speech, swallowing, breathing, appearance, and psychosocial well-being. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) improve symptom monitoring and quality of life in oncology, yet their integration into routine HNC care remains inconsistent. This study assessed patterns of PROM use, perceived value, and barriers to implementation among healthcare professionals (HCPs) involved in HNC care. Methods: A 30-item cross-sectional survey was distributed to HCPs treating HNC patients between June 2024 and April 2025. The questionnaire explored PROM use in clinical practice and trials, perceived relevance across care phases, and implementation barriers. Respondents were classified as non-users, occasional users, or regular users. Data were analyzed descriptively with comparisons between groups. Results: Among 133 respondents, 33.8% were non-users, 29.3% occasional users, and 36.8% regular users of PROMs. Users reported inviting half of patients to complete PROMs, predominantly via paper-based questionnaires (67.8%). PROMs were mainly applied during active treatment and early follow-up to monitor symptoms, overall health, and emotional well-being, and were less frequently used to guide treatment decisions. The EORTC QLQ-C30 and HNC-specific tools were most commonly reported. Compared with users, non-users more often cited lack of time, limited training in interpreting PROM data, insufficient institutional support, resource constraints, and lack of appropriate instruments (all p < 0.05). PROM use in clinical trials was associated with routine use (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Although PROMs are widely valued in HNC care, their integration into clinical decision-making remains limited. Addressing organizational, educational, and digital barriers is essential to support sustainable implementation.