{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,23]],"date-time":"2026-06-23T16:44:09Z","timestamp":1782233049612,"version":"3.54.5"},"reference-count":23,"publisher":"Wiley","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2024,12,11]],"date-time":"2024-12-11T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1733875200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["onlinelibrary.wiley.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Intl J Lang &amp;amp; Comm Disor"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2025,1]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title><jats:sec><jats:title>Background<\/jats:title><jats:p>Over 200,000 patients are referred onto the suspected head and neck cancer (HNC) pathway annually in the UK, with around 3% receiving a cancer diagnosis. With new HNC advancements in identifying patients at low risk of a cancer diagnosis, one proposal is a speech and language therapy (SLT)\u2010led first point of contact clinic for low\u2010risk patients presenting with voice or swallowing symptoms.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Aims<\/jats:title><jats:p>To explore ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeons\u2019 views regarding this model.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Materials &amp; Methods<\/jats:title><jats:p>The study used a qualitative study design using semi\u2010structured interviews. Transcribed responses were analysed using thematic analysis.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Outcomes &amp; Results<\/jats:title><jats:p>A total of 11 UK ENT surgeons participated. Themes included the positives and challenges of the proposed model; existing facilitators that increase the likelihood of success; and the requirements for successful implementation. Service variation impacted level of interest. Waiting times were problematic at some sites more than others; SLT workforce issues were of differing prevalence; SLT competence and interest differed; and support from organizational leaders varied. Participants\u2019 personal views also varied, for example, acceptability of the model to patients, or what governance structure is required. There was no single SLT\u2010led clinic model suitable for all centres; however, some general principles were identified to inform further evaluation and implementation of this model.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusions &amp; Implications<\/jats:title><jats:p>Principles included the deployment of SLTs experienced in laryngeal examination and flexible nasendoscopy; dedicated job plans and workforce; professional and regulatory body recognition and support; and clear training, supervision structure and job description for the role. Service outcomes, training protocol and competencies require robust evaluation.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS<\/jats:title><jats:sec><jats:title>What is already known on this subject<\/jats:title><jats:p><jats:list list-type=\"bullet\">\n<jats:list-item><jats:p>During the SARS\u2010CoV\u20102 pandemic, a risk calculator tool was developed to identify patients at highest risk of cancer who were referred to the 2\u2010week\u2010wait (2ww) ENT pathway. These patients require urgent face to face ENT assessment. Lower risk patients with voice and swallowing difficulties still require management of their symptoms and an SLT\u2010led clinic model is one potential solution for this population. While SLTs\u2019 views of this model have been explored with a UK\u2010wide survey and focus groups, ENT surgeons\u2019 perspectives are yet to be investigated.<\/jats:p><\/jats:list-item><\/jats:list><\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>What this study adds to the existing knowledge<\/jats:title><jats:p><jats:list list-type=\"bullet\">\n<jats:list-item><jats:p>This study explores ENT surgeons\u2019 views regarding SLT\u2010led clinics for patients who are referred through the 2ww ENT pathway, stratified as being at low risk of cancer, and with voice and\/or swallowing symptoms of likely benign aetiology. Participants shared many positive perceptions of the clinic along with factors that they felt would enhance its success (facilitators). Key requirements for the success of this clinic model were also highlighted, along with challenges that need to be addressed.<\/jats:p><\/jats:list-item><\/jats:list><\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>What are the practical and clinical implications of this work?<\/jats:title><jats:p><jats:list list-type=\"bullet\">\n<jats:list-item><jats:p>The need for this clinic model varied by centre. However, general principles included the importance of a dedicated workforce with pre\u2010existing relevant expertise; and a clear role profile, training process and competencies framework. Professional, statutory and regulatory bodies\u2019 recognition of the role is required, and robust evaluation of the model is necessary.<\/jats:p><\/jats:list-item><\/jats:list><\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1111\/1460-6984.13137","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,12,11]],"date-time":"2024-12-11T18:58:44Z","timestamp":1733943524000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":4,"title":["Speech and language therapist\u2010led clinics for low\u2010risk suspected head and neck cancer referrals: A qualitative study of ear, nose and throat surgeons\u2019 views"],"prefix":"10.1111","volume":"60","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-6212-5461","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Louise C.","family":"Occomore\u2010Kent","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"City St George's, University of London  London UK"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-6591-5119","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"John C.","family":"Hardman","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"The Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Foundation Trust  London UK"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4925-3124","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Justin W. G.","family":"Roe","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"The Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Imperial College London  London UK"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1908-1053","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Paula","family":"Bradley","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Sunderland  Sunderland UK"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-4206-1827","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Paul N.","family":"Carding","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Oxford Institute of Nursing Midwifery and Allied Health Research  Oxford UK"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8898-8292","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Joanne M.","family":"Patterson","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Liverpool &amp; Liverpool Head and Neck Centre  Liverpool UK"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"311","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,12,11]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_2_8_2_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jvoice.2021.06.027"},{"key":"e_1_2_8_3_1","volume-title":"Successful qualitative research : a practical guide for beginners","author":"Braun V.","year":"2013"},{"key":"e_1_2_8_4_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jvoice.2023.02.007"},{"key":"e_1_2_8_5_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.12968\/bjon.2023.0289"},{"key":"e_1_2_8_6_1","unstructured":"Cancer Research UK. 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