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Cited by 36Mobile Health and mHealth ApplicationsHealth Literacy and Information AccessibilityCancer survivorship and care

People with cancer and their family caregivers' personal experience of using supportive eHealth technology: A narrative review.

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Darley, Andrew, Coughlan, Barbara, Furlong, Eileen·2021·European Journal of Oncology Nursing
DOI 10.1016/j.ejon.2021.102030
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Abstract

PURPOSE: To synthesise existing qualitative evidence regarding the experiences of people living with cancer and their family caregivers using eHealth technology in their home setting. METHOD: A narrative review using a systematic approach was utilised. Five databases (PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Library) were searched using a tailored search strategy to identify primary research articles published between January 2005 and May 2021. Studies were quality appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme's Qualitative Studies Checklist and the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool, where relevant. Identified studies were appraised by three reviewers and data were extracted for analysis. Key themes were identified and agreed upon by the authors. RESULTS: 28 empirical studies were included in the review. Five major themes emerged: (i) understanding of cancer and its care (ii) alignment and integration of eHealth technology into daily life (iii) connection and collaboration with healthcare professionals, family and peers (iii) reassurance and sense of safety (iv) and the psychosocial impact on the self during the cancer experience. CONCLUSIONS: eHealth technology can have positive role in the lives of people with cancer and their family caregivers, beyond the intended health outcomes of the intervention. Individual preferences amongst people with cancer and their family caregivers using eHealth technology must be considered, especially regarding cancer information delivery, content and support methods. This review underlines a critical need for further in-depth evidence on the personal meaning and relationships people with cancer and their family caregivers develop with eHealth technology in an ambulatory care setting.

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  • e-Health interventions did not significantly reduce caregiver burden.

    “However, it is important to note that these interventions did not significantly reduce the caregiver burden26,27.”

    From Anxiety, depression, and quality of life of caregivers of palliative care patients with cancer (2025) · cites this paper as [27]

    The review’s §4.2 (page unavailable) says it is unclear whether eHealth technology can address family caregivers’ potential burden. It does not report a statistical test or conclude that interventions failed to significantly reduce caregiver burden. Searches for significant reduction and caregiver-burden outcomes found no such result in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.76)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

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References 59 · Cited by 36

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Authors
Darley, A., Coughlan, B., & Furlong, E.
Affiliations
University College Dublin (IE)
Corresponding author
  • Darley, Andrew
  • Coughlan, Barbara
  • Furlong, Eileen
ORCID
Venue
European Journal of Oncology Nursing
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2021-10
Volume
54
Pages
102030
ISSN
1462-3889 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.ejon.2021.102030
OpenAlex
W3196868217
Cited by
36
References
59
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 5
FWCI
1.03
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • European Journal of Oncology Nursing (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Literacy and Information Accessibility
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
Keywords
cancer, family caregivers, eHealth technologies, home care, patient experience, caregiver experiences, psychosocial impact, sense of security, interprofessional collaboration, peer support, outpatient care
MeSH terms
Humans, Neoplasms, Caregivers, Telemedicine, Qualitative Research

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