Implementation of fast track multidisciplinary integrated care program in head and neck cancer

Timely and efficient diagnostic workup of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients consisting of adequate clinical, radiological, and pathological examinations is challenging. We implemented an optimized multidisciplinary oncological diagnostic workup for HNC patients. To this end, we have analyzed the time interval from first consultation to definitive diagnosis and start of treatment, survival, costs, and patient satisfaction and compared them before and after the implementation of a fast-track multidisciplinary integrated care program. After the implementation of a fast-track multidisciplinary integrated care program, the time interval from first consultation to the start of treatment was significantly shortened, overall survival and patient satisfaction increased significantly, and costs did not change. This demonstrates the impact of improving quality of care by efficiently organizing the diagnostic phase of HNC management.