Conclusion
In summary, COVID-19 threatens the very essence of head and neck cancer
care delivery and puts both patients and providers at significant risk
for additional foreseen and unforeseen morbidities and mortality. This
creates a significant and previously unknown barrier to care that must
be acknowledged and addressed as an ethical challenge, both as we care
for individuals and fulfill our responsibilities to society. The
importance of open and honest communication, consistent
multidisciplinary planning and messaging, and adoption of novel
treatment approaches will be essential.
The practice of head and neck oncology has always been shaped by disease
factors and the complex context in which our patients require care.
Collectively, our diverse community can and will meet these new travails
with the alacrity, creativity and commitment for which we pride
ourselves.
Full author list
Andrew G. Shuman, MD FACS1,2
Bruce H. Campbell, MD, FACS3,4
On behalf of the AHNS Ethics & Professionalism Service
1Center for Bioethics and Social Sciences in Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School
2Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School
3Department of Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin
4Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities, Medical College of Wisconsin
Contact Information:
Andrew G. Shuman, MD FACS
1904 Taubman Center
1500 E Medical Center Drive
Ann Arbor MI 48109-5312
Office: 734 232 0120 Cell: 734 834 6930
The authors declare no conflict of interest or funding sources. The contents of this original manuscript have not been presented or submitted elsewhere.