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. 2020 Apr;29(4):591-603.
doi: 10.1002/pon.5310. Epub 2020 Jan 13.

Digital interventions to facilitate patient-provider communication in cancer care: A systematic review

Y Alicia Hong  1 , Md Mahbub Hossain  2 , Wen-Ying Sylvia Chou  3
Affiliations

Digital interventions to facilitate patient-provider communication in cancer care: A systematic review

Y Alicia Hong et al. Psychooncology. 2020 Apr.

Abstract

Objective: Patient-provider communication is a critical component of cancer care. Digital tools have been applied to facilitate cancer care and patient-provider communication. However, to date, there is no systematic review on this growing body of literature. The objective of this study is to identify the existing digital interventions to improve patient-provider communication among cancer patients and survivors, summarize their characteristics, and synthesize the outcomes of these interventions.

Methods: We searched the databases of PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines with the following criteria: (a) empirical studies focusing on digital interventions to facilitate communication between cancer patients or survivors and their health care providers, (b) reporting qualitative or quantitative health outcomes of the cancer patients or survivors after the digital intervention, and (c) English articles published after 2000.

Results: The initial literature search generated 1006 articles; only 13 met the inclusion criteria. Most of the studies were conducted among breast, prostate, and lung cancer patients. Ten out of 13 studies used randomized controlled trials to evaluate intervention efficacy. The outcomes assessed included symptoms reporting and management, decision making, distress and quality of life, and utilization of health care. Most studies reported positive outcomes following the interventions.

Conclusions: The existing evidence on the number, characteristics, and outcomes of digital interventions to improve patient-provider communication suggests the preliminary efficacy of such interventions. It is essential to develop and implement more evidence-based digital interventions to engage patients, enhance patient-provider communication, and facilitate patient-centered decision making to improve patient-centered health outcomes, especially in underserved communities of cancer patients and survivors.

Keywords: cancer patients; cancer survivors; digital intervention; patient-provider communication; review.

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References

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