Context. Financial toxicity (FT) is used to describe the financial distress/hardship associated with cancer and its treatment. Objectives. The aim of this review was to explore the relationship between FT and symptom burden. Method. A systematic review was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL (from January 2000 to January 2018) and accepted quantitative, mixed-methods and qualitative studies. Data were extracted and appraised by two reviewers. Owing to significant heterogeneity in the included studies, a narrative synthesis was performed. Results. Nine studies involving 11,544 cancer survivors were included. Of these nine studies, eight were of high quality. The relationships between FT and psychological symptoms and physical symptoms were examined in eight and three studies, respectively. Six studies reported a positive relationship between FT and depression. Three studies found a positive association between FT and anxiety. Limited evidence was found for an association between FT and stress, fear of recurrence, spiritual suffering, pain, and overall symptom burden. Conclusions. A relatively clear association exists between FT and psychological symptoms. Clinicians should regularly screen for, assess, and manage emotional distress that may be attributed to FT. Although the causal pathway is not known, future intervention studies aimed at minimizing or preventing FT should evaluate psychological symptoms as secondary outcomes. Little is known about the relationships between FT and physical symptoms. Future research should overcome methodological limitations by incorporating longitudinal data collection, use of mixed-methods approaches, and homogeneity of samples.
Purpose
To identify published literature regarding cancer survivorship education programs for primary care providers (PCPs) and assess their outcomes.
Methods
PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL databases were searched between January 2005 and September 2020. The Quality of Cancer Survivorship Care Framework and Kirkpatrick’s 4-level evaluation model were used to summarize program content and outcomes, respectively. Data extraction and critical appraisal were conducted by two authors.
Results
Twenty-one studies were included, describing self-directed online courses (
n
=4), presentations (
n
=2), workshops and training sessions (
n
=6), placement programs (
n
=3), a live webinar, a fellowship program, a referral program, a survivorship conference, a dual in-person workshop and webinar, and an in-person seminar and online webinar series. Eight studies described the use of a learner framework or theory to guide program development. All 21 programs were generally beneficial to PCP learners (e.g., increased confidence, knowledge, behavior change); however, methodological bias suggests caution in accepting claims. Three studies reported positive outcomes at the patient level (i.e., satisfaction with care) and organizational level (i.e., increased screening referrals, changes to institution practice standards).
Conclusions
A range of cancer survivorship PCP education programs exist. Evidence for clinical effectiveness was rarely reported. Future educational programs should be tailored to PCPs, utilize an evidence-based survivorship framework, and evaluate patient- and system-level outcomes.
Implications for Cancer Survivors
PCPs have an important role in addressing the diverse health care needs of cancer survivors. Improving the content, approach, and evaluation of PCP-focused cancer survivorship education programs could have a positive impact on health outcomes among cancer survivors.
Supplementary Information
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11764-021-01018-6.
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