Acceptability of telephone support as perceived by patients with cancer: A systematic review

Abstract

Telephone‐based interventions can increase accessibility to healthcare and are increasingly used as a convenient method of providing support. We conducted a systematic review of published literature reporting adult patients’ perceptions of the acceptability of, and satisfaction with, telephone‐based interventions during or post‐treatment for cancer. Systematic searches identified 4,855 articles. Forty‐eight articles describing 50 studies were included in the review. Three intervention categories were identified post hoc: (1) telephone follow‐up in lieu of routine hospital follow‐up, (2) telephone interventions for treatment side‐effect monitoring and toxicity management supplementary to usual care, and (3) supplementary psycho‐educational telephone interventions. Across studies, some consistent findings emerged. Positive perceptions emphasised the convenience of telephone interventions and increased accessibility to care. Conflicting perceptions of the quality of the support received, the impact of telecare on the patient–healthcare professional relationship and the need for such interventions emerged. In conclusion, the evidence base relating to patients’ perceptions of telephone‐based interventions is increasing. Interpretation of findings is currently limited by methodological limitations in the primary research. The instruments chosen to assess patient satisfaction quantitatively do not always reflect the patient‐centred priorities that emerge from qualitative data. Subsequent research would benefit from well‐designed qualitative studies and patient‐centred outcome measures to ensure that the individuality of participants’ positive and negative experiences is captured.

Acompanhamento por telefone como intervenção de enfermagem a pacientes em quimioterapia ambulatorial: revisão integrativa

“…A systematic review study addressed the acceptability of telephone support by cancer patients and concluded that this type of evidence related to patient perception is increasing. However, interpretation of the results is limited because of the instruments selected for the quantitative assessment of patient satisfaction, which do not always reflect patient-centered priorities emerging from qualitative data (11) .…”

“…Its main intervening factors are concern with the reduction of healthcare costs, epidemiological factors and geographical barriers (10) . Fixed or mobile phones are used by most of the population, increasing the individuals' access to healthcare, and have proven to be a convenient method to support healthcare services (11) . According to the Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC), telephone follow-up is defined as providing results or evaluating a patient's response and determining potential for problems as a result of previous treatment, examination or testing, over the telephone (12) .…”

Decision Making on Telemedicine for Patients With Epilepsy During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Crisis

“…While adjusting AEDs on telemedicine, the side-effect of AEDs should be considered. Telemedicine allows us to weigh the side-effects of the treatment ( 17 ). In case of critical side-effects, clinicians may consider physical consultation.…”

Bringing health care to the patient

“…Internet delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) is an effective way to treat psychiatric and somatic conditions in children and adolescents (Vigerland et al, 2016[66]) and improve sleep in adults with insomnia (Seyffert et al, 2016[70]). Furthermore, it is as effective as usual care in reducing symptoms of depression (Deady et al, 2017[73]; van Beugen et al, 2014 [74]; Linde et al, 2015 [75]). mHealth can reduce symptoms of anxiety, stress and depression while improving patient adherence and reducing face-to-face visits (Rathbone and Prescott, 2017 [71]).…”

“…Telemedicine is at least as effective as usual approaches to nutrition and physical activity. Telemedicine interventions are comparable to face-to-face interventions in improving physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviour (Direito et al, 2017 [74]), while targeted interventions are more effective than usual care in increasing physical activity (Hakala et al, 2017[75]). Telemedicine interventions can improve diet quality, including the intake of fruits, vegetables, and dietary sodium for people with chronic conditions (Kelly et al, 2016 [76]) and for malnourished community dwelling older adults (Marx et al, 2018[83]).…”