Studying Survivorship Care Plans in Head and Neck Cancer

The study will focus on survivorship care for head and neck cancer patients cared for within Duke Cancer Center clinics. Standardized survivorship care plans (sSCP) are being implemented based on the American Society for Clinical Oncology's criteria. These documents provide a summary of treatment received, and list side effects and follow-up information after cancer treatment. Taking advantage of this transition, the investigator will study three groups of patients: (a) early survivors treated before the sSCP was implemented, (b) early survivors treated after the sSCP was implemented, and (c) current patients who will receive an individualized enhanced SCP (eSCP), which will include additional information tailored to patient preferences. The investigators hypothesize that patients receiving enhanced survivorship care plans will increase their knowledge regarding their health care plan and wellness trajectory; increase their ability to identify the symptoms they most likely can expect as a result of their cancer treatment; and be more likely to engage in conversations with their PCP about healthy behaviors and screening guidelines.

Intervention (group receiving eSCPs) will be compared to 2 control groups: group receiving prior standard of care and standard of care SCP

Patients currently receiving treatment who will be enrolled to receive an "enhanced" SCP (eSCP) with additional information beyond ASCO guidelines tailored to patient concerns and preferences.

The eSCP includes a treatment summary section, a section detailing follow-up and test recommendations, a section on anticipated and potential side effects, as well as additional information specific to their experience/concerns. They will receive a patient education notebook outlining symptoms and their management that is tailored to those that the subject may be likely to experience during their survivorship care trajectory.

Assesses survivor knowledge of potential cancer or treatment-related symptoms and knowledge of healthy behaviors through the use of the Head and Neck Cancer Survivor Knowledge Scale

Assesses survivor knowledge of potential cancer or treatment-related symptoms and knowledge of healthy behaviors through the use of the Head and Neck Cancer Survivor Knowledge Scale in intervention group

Assesses risk of distress defined within post-traumatic stress after treatment through the use of the PTSD Checklist

Assesses risk of distress defined within post-traumatic stress after treatment through the use of the PTSD Checklist in the intervention group

Assesses uncertainty related to presence of symptoms after cancer treatment through the use of the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale -Survivor/Caregiver form

Assesses uncertainty related to presence of symptoms after cancer treatment through the use of the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale -Survivor/Caregiver form in the intervention group

Assesses quality of life in head and neck cancer patients EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire Head & Neck (QLQ H&N35)

Assesses quality of life in head and neck cancer patients EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire Head & Neck (QLQ H&N35) in the intervention group

Assesses information processing in cancer patients through the use of the EORTC QLQ Information Module (QLQ INFO25)

Using open ended questions during a qualitative interview, survivors will provide their perception of how survivorship care plans were useful or not in their care

Using a documentation checklist developed by the study team, discussions on survivorship needs when returning to clinic will be assessed with a focus on symptom management or incorporation of healthy behaviors to reduce cancer recurrence

Inclusion Criteria: Completed treatment for a head or neck cancer at Duke Cancer Center within 4 months of consent OR Will complete treatment for a head and neck cancer at Duke Cancer Center within 3 weeks of consent AND Able to read and understand English Capable of giving informed consent Are at least age 18. Exclusion Criteria: incompetent for interview (documented diagnosis of active psychosis or dementia) or unable to provide informed consent as assessed by the interviewer; or too sick to participate, as judged by a member of the research team