Telemedicine Nurse-Led Intervention for Rural Cancer Survivors

Cancer-related distress will be assessed using the NCCN Distress Thermometer amended to include HNC-specific areas of distress. For those participants experiencing high rates of distress, the nurse will provide targeted distress education. Education for participants exhibiting successful distress self-management, or with distress that has already resolved will focus on reinforcing surveillance and health promotion information contained in the Survivorship Care Plan. When indicated, the nurse will discuss potential referrals to support services with the patient, and they will decide jointly which referrals will be beneficial. Following the visits, the nurse will make agreed upon referrals using existing cancer center pathways, documenting these in the medical record. The nurse will follow-up with the patient via telephone 6 weeks following the telemedicine visit to determine uptake of the referral, documenting all referral information in the electronic medical record.