Impact of Presurgical Second‐Touch Visits on Delays in Initiating Adjuvant Radiation Therapy

• DOI: 10.1002/ohn.1194
• Publication Date: 2025-04-11T06:15:25Z
• Authors: Antonio A. Bon‐Ni...; Naomi C. Wang; Sarah F. Wagoner; Rahul Alapati; Maria Feucht; Uma Ramesh; Rohit Nallani; Emma Rea; Colleen Sommer; Amelia S. Lawrence; Kevin J. Sykes; Kiran Kakarala; Yelizaveta Shnayder; Andrés M. Bur; Chelsea S. Hamill
• Keywords: Port (circuit theory); Attendance; Odds

Abstract Objective Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) often encounter delays in starting postoperative radiotherapy (PORT), leading to worse outcomes. We investigated whether attending second‐touch visits—appointments after the initial clinic visit before surgery address treatment‐related questions follow‐up expectations—with an advanced practice provider (APP) is associated reduced PORT delays. Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Single tertiary referral center. Methods Adult patients HNSCC who underwent free flap between 2020 2022 were included. All offered a visit. The primary outcome was delay, defined as treatment initiation >42 days surgery. Clinicodemographic data collected at baseline last known follow‐up. Results Of 104 included, 57.7% attended Attendance receiving (RT) academic setting (65.0% vs 40.9%, P = .015) fewer (56.7% 79.5%, .015). Multivariable analysis revealed 70% reduction odds of delay for those visits (adjusted ratio [aOR] 0.298, 95% CI 0.103‐0.866, .026). more likely RT community (aOR 3.783, 1.284‐11.146, .016), wound complications 5.149, 1.363‐19.460, higher comorbidity index 1.407, 1.012‐1.957, .042). Conclusion medical center significantly likelihood delay. These findings underscore importance APP‐driven patient navigation improving timely care outcomes HNSCC.