Evaluation of Prognostic Factors Affecting Quality of Life in Patients Three Months After Surgery for Head Cancer - A Qualitative Study

Context : The aim of this innovative study was to assess prognostic factors affecting the quality of life of patients with head cancer three months after surgery. The research has direct relevance to the care of patients with head cancer during rehabilitation, assessing patient independence and quality of life, and also highlights the important issue of social support and acceptance of the disease during the patient's recovery after surgery. Methods : A qualitative research design was adopted using standardized tools: WHOQOL-BREF, MSPSS, I-ADL, AIS. A diagnostic survey was conducted among patients three months after surgery for head cancer from July 2023 to October 2024 at the Clinic of St. Raphael's Hospital in Krakow in Polen. Results : A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the patient independence scale and the disease acceptance scale and quality of life scale. A statistically significant negative correlation was found between the patient independence scale and the social support scale, as well as between the social support scale and quality of life, disease acceptance and independence. Conclusions : The prognostic factors affecting the quality of life of patients three months after surgery for head cancer include: the type of cancer, patient independence, acceptance of the disease, and social support. The quality of life three months after surgery for head cancer can be described as good, taking into account the type of head cancer. The more independent the patients were, the higher their quality of life and the better they accepted their disease, and they also needed less support. Study registration : The study was registered by the ClinicalTrials.gov PRS research team (NCT 06395805). Registration date: June 2023.