Is there evidence for effects of e-health for people confronted with cancer?
Year: 2016
Type: article
Study design: Systematic Review
Abstract: Background\nCancer and its treatment have a great impact on patients’ and informal caregivers’ daily lives. Patients often combat physical and psychological problems and symptoms and informal caregivers often experience a high care burden. E-health is considered a potentially effective means to support patients and informal caregivers in managing the disease-related problems they face. \n\nIntroduction\nE-health can be defined as ‘information provision about illness or health care and/or support for patients and/or informal caregivers, using the computer or related technologies’. Much research has been done on e-health in cancer care. Since several systematic reviews concerning effects of e-health interventions for cancer patients are already published, we decided to perform a metareview.\n\nAim and research questions\nThe aim of this presentation is to report on the status quo regarding effects of e-health for cancer patients or their informal caregivers. The following primary and secondary questions are addressed: \n1) What evidence can be derived from existing systematic reviews about the effects of e-health for patients with cancer and/or their informal caregivers? \n2) What specific types of e-health interventions for patients with specific types of cancer and/or their informal caregivers are addressed in the relevant systematic reviews? \n\nMaterials and Methods\nA systematic metareview, i.e. a systematic review of reviews, was performed. Searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library, in March 2014. All steps in the review process and the methodological quality assessment were either performed by two reviewers independently or checked by a second reviewer. \n\nResults\nTen systematic reviews, all describing effects of e-health for cancer patients, were included. Focus on informal caregivers was lacking. Evidence was found for positive effects on knowledge levels, information competence, and perceived support. For healthcare participation and health status, indications of evidence were found. Regarding outcomes related to decision-making, psychological wellbeing, depression and anxiety, and quality of life, findings were inconsistent.\n\nConclusions\nE-health has positive effects on, knowledge, information competence and perceived support of cancer patients. Therefore, nurses and other healthcare professionals could promote the use of e-health in this patient group. In addition, they can consider to complement usual face-to-face care with e-health. However, more research is needed on effects on other outcomes, like quality of life and depression.
Language: English
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2577791135