ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Head and neck cancer patients show a high psychiatric comorbidity, yet receive only little psychosocial support. Therefore, a specific psychosocial qualification for speech therapists working with head and neck cancer patients seems necessary. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A course was developed based on a process model. Questionnaires were completed by speech therapists (self-evaluation of working situation; n = 15) as well as therapists interested in further training (collection of issues in the work with head and neck patients who are under psychological pressure assessed as problematic by the therapists; n = 27), whose competence in communication was also evaluated. In addition, a literature research was conducted and a focus group was formed. RESULTS: High psychosocial demands within the therapists' work with tumor patients and difficulties in communication became obvious. Nearly all interviewees frequently used nonconducive communication patterns, yet implicit knowledge existed (usage of a favorable conversational style in multiple choice test: 68 %). The content and concept of the curriculum were discussed within the focus group and led to the final version of the training. CONCLUSION: A customised psycho-social training curriculum for speech therapists has been developed.
