Ongoing Care and Post-Treatment Surveillance
With regards to ongoing care for head and neck oncology patients, follow-ups are arranged virtually over OTN or via telephone whenever possible. In-person follow ups are reserved for specific indications, including patients who develop new or concerning symptoms, those that require a biopsy or procedure (i.e. new oral lesion that needs biopsy, new voice symptoms, or needs endoscopic examination), and rarely patient preference/desire. Currently, a rotating schedule has been implemented for head and neck surgeons at several hospitals in Toronto, for evaluation of follow-up patients. For instance, at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Odette Cancer Centre, a three-week rotation has been put into practice for the three head and neck surgeons. With such a schedule, surgeons are all personally socially distanced from one another, protecting the capacity for ongoing patient care in cases of illness or need for formal quarantine.