Web-based educational tools and decision aids for patients with advanced cancer: A systematic review

IF 2.9 2区医学 Q2 PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

Patient Education and Counseling Pub Date : 2025-02-14 DOI:10.1016/j.pec.2025.108706

Phoebe Ullrich , Henrike Voß , Laura Unsöld , Michael Thomas , Matthias Villalobos

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objectives

To provide an overview of existing interactive web-based educational tools and decision aids for patients with advanced cancer and to evaluate their development process, content, feasibility, usability, and effectiveness.

Methods

Systematic literature search from inception to November 2023; screening with Covidence software; narrative analysis of results and quality assessment with the SUNDAE checklist.

Results

Sixteen web-based tools were identified: Seven for breast cancer, six for other specific cancers, and three for mixed populations. Studies predominantly used literature reviews, focus groups, and/or pre-existing tools for the development. The tools were heterogeneous and not all integrated aspects of end-of-life care. User tests included controlled trials, prospective interventional cohort studies, and a retrospective observational study, involving a total of 6192 patients. Results showed partially low adoption and infrequent use. Feasibility and usability were positively rated with high rates of user satisfaction. Preparation for and involvement in decision-making was partially supported by increased knowledge and improved doctor-patient relationships. Effects on involvement and self-efficacy in decision-making, participation, and distress were uncertain. Effects on quality of life, hope, anxiety, engagement in palliative care/advance directives, and survival were not found.

Conclusions

Despite high user satisfaction and adequate feasibility and usability, the evidence for other outcomes is diverse and low for long-term implementation. Tools are very heterogeneous in cancer entities and content. Although targeting patients with advanced cancer not all tools integrate aspects of palliative care and end-of-life.

Practice implications

In advanced cancer care, patient involvement in decision-making is complex. Web-based solutions are promising because of easy accessibility and dissemination and the ability to adapt information to patients’ needs and new treatment developments. Still, only a few evidence-based web-based educational tools and decision aids are available. Filling this gap is essential to empower patients to make informed and goal-concordant treatment decisions.

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来源期刊

Patient Education and Counseling 医学-公共卫生、环境卫生与职业卫生

CiteScore

5.60

自引率

11.40%

发文量

384

审稿时长

46 days

期刊介绍： Patient Education and Counseling is an interdisciplinary, international journal for patient education and health promotion researchers, managers and clinicians. The journal seeks to explore and elucidate the educational, counseling and communication models in health care. Its aim is to provide a forum for fundamental as well as applied research, and to promote the study of organizational issues involved with the delivery of patient education, counseling, health promotion services and training models in improving communication between providers and patients.