Journal Article

Question prompt list intervention for patients with advanced cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Wang, Shu-Jung, Chang, Yun-Chen, Hu, Wen-Yu

2024

Overview

Background Enhanced communication in end-of-life care (EOL) improves preparation and treatment decisions for patients with advanced cancer, affecting their quality of life at the end of life. Question prompt list (QPL) has been shown to enhance physician–patient communication in patients with cancer, but there is a lack of systematic review and meta-analysis for those with advanced cancer. Enhanced communication in end-of-life care improves preparation and treatment decisions for patients with advanced cancer, affecting their quality of life at the end of life. Objective To review the effectiveness of QPL intervention on physician–patient communication and health outcomes during consultation in patients with advanced cancer. Methods CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, and PsycINFO databases were undertaken using inclusion criteria for relevant articles up to August 2021. Pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random-effects models. We used the Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment tool and modified Jadad scale to assess the quality of the studies. Results Seven RCTs with 1059 participants were included, of which six studies were eligible for the meta-analysis. The pooled meta-analysis results indicated that QPL in patients with advanced cancer had a significant positive effect on the total number of questions asked (SMD, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.28 to 1.18; I 2  = 83%) and on the patients’ expectations for the future (SMD, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.08 to 1.25; I 2  = 88%). There were no significant improvements in health-related outcomes such as end of life, anxiety, and quality of life. Conclusions Using QPL in advanced cancer consultations boosts patient questions which helps communication but not health-related indicators. Optimal results depend on full reading, but timing varies. Future research should examine the relationship between communication and health outcomes, including patient/physician behavior and social context.

• Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg,Springer,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Analysis / Anxiety / Cancer / Cancer patients / Care and treatment / Clinical outcomes / Communication / Decision making / End of life decisions / Health / Health aspects / Health behavior / Health education / Health information / Health status / Hospice care / Humans / Intervention / Medical colleges / Medical decision making / Medical treatment / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Meta-analysis / Neoplasms - psychology / Neoplasms - therapy / Nursing / Nursing Research / Oncology / Pain Medicine / Palliative care / Palliative treatment / Patient communication / Patients / Physician and patient / Physician-Patient Relations / Physicians / Practitioner patient relationship / Quality of Life / Questions / Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Rehabilitation Medicine / Review / Risk assessment / Social environment / Social factors / Systematic review / Terminal Care - methods / Terminal Care - psychology