The effectiveness of nurse‐led care in supporting self‐management in patients with cancer: A systematic review

Abstract

Aims and objectives

To determine the impact of nurse‐led follow‐up care supporting self‐management of people who have had or have cancer.

Background

Cancer care is evolving towards enabling people to self‐manage the impact of cancer, treatment and overall care on their quality of life (QoL), self‐efficacy and distress.

Design

A systematic review following Joanna Briggs Institution (JBI) guidance and reported in accordance with the PRISMA statement was undertaken.

Methods

Four databases were searched, OVID Medline, CINAHL, PsychINFO and Embase. Quantitative randomised control trials with people who have or have had cancer accessing nurse‐led care or nurse‐led intervention, undertaken within secondary care were included. Narrative synthesis was undertaken due to heterogeneity of measures used and time points of assessment.

Results

Seven papers were included in the final review, all meeting moderate to high‐quality appraisal. Only one study found an impact of nurse‐led care on all three factors under investigation, with a further two studies finding an effect on distress. The remaining studies did not find an impact of the intervention.

Conclusion

Clinical Nurse Specialists are well placed to provide follow‐up care for people with cancer, but in relation to QoL, self‐efficacy and distress, there is limited evidence of effectiveness of nurse‐led interventions.

Public or patient contribution

This systematic review did not have any public or patient contribution.

Relevance to clinical practice

Cancer care is moving to a chronic care, self‐management model. Clinical nurse specialists are well placed to innovate interventions that assist people with cancer to self‐manage.