Health professionals’ perceptions of frailty in head and neck oncology: a national, multidisciplinary cross-sectional survey

OBJECTIVES: Frailty is associated with adverse outcomes among patients with head and neck cancers. We evaluated the awareness of frailty among Irish head and neck healthcare professionals. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to Irish multidisciplinary head and neck healthcare professionals. RESULTS: Eighty responses were received with varying clinical experience. Seventy-nine (99 per cent) participants believed frailty could influence: post-treatment functional outcomes (77 [96 per cent]), overall survival (72 [90 per cent]) and treatment related toxicity among head and neck cancer patients. Eighteen (23 per cent) participants had used frailty in practice. A lack of awareness / training (68 [85 per cent]) and time / practical constraints (62 [78 per cent]) were the main barriers identified to the utilisation of frailty in practice. CONCLUSION: Irish head and neck healthcare professionals are aware of frailty and believe it may be of benefit in clinical practice. Barriers to incorporation of frailty in head and neck care included a lack of training, time or resources.