2081V - Better Together: Shared Decision-Making Between the MD and SLP in Head and Neck Cancer Care

This session is developed by, and presenters invited by, Head and Neck Cancer Issues. A multidisciplinary team is paramount in both assessing and treating patients with head and neck cancer. In this session, a partnered speech pathologist and head and neck surgeon will use case studies to illustrate the typical and necessary partnership to develop individualized and evidence-based treatment plans. While this collaboration often improves both oncologic and functional outcomes, there are also cases when undesirable patient outcomes mandate that the team work together to adjust care and goals. This session will discuss how to alter and adapt patient-goals while keeping QOL at the forefront of treatment plans. Finally, the duo will discuss how multidisciplinary care has revealed moments of learning, debate, and resolve, which leads to both professional growth and improved patient outcomes.