Cited by 274Cancer survivorship and careChildhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of LifePatient-Provider Communication in Healthcare

Systematic Review of the Impact of Cancer Survivorship Care Plans on Health Outcomes and Health Care Delivery

Open access
Jacobsen, Paul B., DeRosa, Antonio P., Henderson, Tara O., Mayer, Deborah K., Moskowitz, Chaya S., Paskett, Electra D., Rowland, Julia H.·2018·Journal of Clinical Oncology

Abstract

Purpose: Numerous organizations recommend that patients with cancer receive a survivorship care plan (SCP) comprising a treatment summary and follow-up care plans. Among current barriers to implementation are providers’ concerns about the strength of evidence that SCPs improve outcomes. This systematic review evaluates whether delivery of SCPs has a positive impact on health outcomes and health care delivery for cancer survivors. Methods: Randomized and nonrandomized studies evaluating patient-reported outcomes, health care use, and disease outcomes after delivery of SCPs were identified by searching MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Cochrane Library. Data extracted by independent raters were summarized on the basis of qualitative synthesis. Results: Eleven nonrandomized and 13 randomized studies met inclusion criteria. Variability was evident across studies in cancer types, SCP delivery timing and method, SCP recipients and content, SCP-related counseling, and outcomes assessed. Nonrandomized study findings yielded descriptive information on satisfaction with care and reactions to SCPs. Randomized study findings were generally negative for the most commonly assessed outcomes (ie, physical, functional, and psychological well-being); findings were positive in single studies for other outcomes, including amount of information received, satisfaction with care, and physician implementation of recommended care. Conclusion: Existing research provides little evidence that SCPs improve health outcomes and health care delivery. Possible explanations include heterogeneity in study designs and the low likelihood that SCP delivery alone would influence distal outcomes. Findings are limited but more positive for proximal outcomes (eg, information received) and for care delivery, particularly when SCPs are accompanied by counseling to prepare survivors for future clinical encounters. Recommendations for future research include focusing to a greater extent on evaluating ways to ensure SCP recommendations are subsequently acted on as part of ongoing care.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This systematic review of 24 studies found limited evidence that survivorship care plans (SCPs) improve health outcomes or health care delivery for cancer survivors. Findings were generally null for commonly assessed patient-reported outcomes, with isolated positive findings for proximal outcomes and care delivery, especially when SCPs were accompanied by counseling.

Key findings

  • The review included 24 articles: 11 nonrandomized studies and 13 randomized studies. Nonrandomized studies were mostly descriptive and focused on feasibility, acceptability, and satisfaction; one analysis of changes in psychological distress found no statistically significant differences.
  • Among randomized studies, findings were generally negative for the most commonly assessed outcomes (physical, functional, and psychological well-being). Seven studies reported no statistically significant differences across intervention conditions; four reported beneficial effects limited to single studies (fewer depressive symptoms, less health worry and less negative outlook, greater satisfaction with care, greater amount of information received), and one reported adverse effects (more symptoms, illness concerns, and emotional impact of illness).
  • Six randomized studies assessed health care delivery and use; five reported beneficial effects (greater preference for shared care, greater likelihood of correctly identifying the PCP as responsible for follow-up, greater adherence to cardiomyopathy screening, better physician implementation of survivorship care recommendations, and more cancer-related contact with the PCP), while one reported no statistically significant differences.
  • Two studies assessed disease-related end points and found no statistically significant differences in time to diagnosis of recurrence or recurrence-related serious clinical events. Economic findings were mixed: one study reported lower health care costs in the SCP condition, while another reported higher societal and health care costs but negligible differences in quality-adjusted life years.

Methods

  • Systematic literature searches were conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library, with coverage ending July 16, 2017. Studies were eligible if published in English, involved delivery of an SCP to survivors and/or their health care providers, and evaluated patient-reported outcomes, health care use, or disease outcomes.
  • A total of 1,399 studies were identified through database searches and 54 additional articles from reference lists and previous reviews; after duplicates were removed, 1,091 articles were screened, 41 full texts were assessed, and 24 articles met inclusion criteria.
  • Two paired reviewers independently screened, extracted data, and rated quality using the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies for nonrandomized studies and items adapted from the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for randomized studies. Because of limited size and marked heterogeneity, analysis focused on qualitative synthesis rather than meta-analysis.

Limitations

  • The paper states that the limited number of studies and heterogeneous methodology precluded quantitative synthesis, so the review examined whether randomized study findings reached statistical significance rather than aggregating effect sizes. It was also limited to published studies in English, excluding relevant unpublished studies and research in other languages, and examined only health outcomes and health care delivery, not other aspects such as survivor and provider preferences for SCP content and delivery methods.
  • Evident from the text: the nonrandomized studies were uncontrolled and focused mostly on feasibility and acceptability, limiting conclusions about impact. Many randomized studies had unclear risk-of-bias ratings because of insufficient information, and significant findings for any specific outcome were often limited to single studies, which the authors note seriously limits definitive conclusions.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1200/jco.2018.77.7482

Cites

44 of 44 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 14 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data
    § Results

    Variability was evident across the included studies in cancer types, SCP delivery timing and method, SCP recipients and content, SCP-related counseling, and outcomes assessed.

    “Variability was evident across studies in cancer types, SCP delivery timing and method, SCP recipients and content, SCP-related counseling, and outcomes assessed.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingnone given
    § DISCUSSION

    Among the 13 randomized studies, most focused on examining the impact of SCPs on patient-reported health states and perceptions of care.

    “Among the 13 randomized studies, most focused on examining the impact of SCPs on patient-reported health states and perceptions of care.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingcitation
    § RESULTS

    No statistically significant differences across intervention conditions were reported in seven randomized studies.

    “No statistically significant differences across intervention conditions were reported in seven studies.23,24,26-28,33,35”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data
    § DISCUSSION

    Five of the six studies reporting results for the impact of SCPs on health care delivery and use reported significant findings.

    “Only six studies reported results for the impact of SCPs on health care delivery and use; however, five of these studies reported significant findings.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingcitation
    § RESULTS

    The one exception to descriptive reporting in the nonrandomized studies was an analysis of changes over time in psychological distress scores, which yielded no statistically significant differences.

    “The one exception was an analysis of changes over time in psychological distress scores, which yielded no statistically significant differences.19”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims. 19
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 13
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § Results

    Eleven nonrandomized and 13 randomized studies met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review.

    “Eleven nonrandomized and 13 randomized studies met inclusion criteria.”
    • Also stated in: § RESULTS · plain
      “A total of 24 articles, comprising 11 nonrandomized studies12-22 and 13 randomized studies23-35, were eligible for inclusion in the synthesis.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data
    § RESULTS

    Seventeen of the included studies focused on a specific cancer type.

    “We found 17 studies focused on a specific cancer type”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § RESULTS

    The global rating of study quality was weak for nine nonrandomized studies and moderate for two nonrandomized studies.

    “The global rating of study quality was weak for nine studies and moderate for two studies.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Findingnone given
    § DISCUSSION

    Studies in this area have tended to focus on more distal outcomes such as survivors' reports of their health status in the months after delivery of an SCP.

    “Studies in this area have tended to focus on more distal outcomes such as survivors’ reports of their health status in the months after delivery of an SCP.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingreasoning
    § RESULTS

    SCPs were provided to primary care providers in 10 of the included studies.

    “Including the last two studies, SCPs were provided to PCPs in 10 studies.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation
    § RESULTS

    In the other economic study, societal costs and health care costs were higher in the SCP condition relative to the no-SCP condition, while differences in quality-adjusted life years were negligible.

    “In the other study, societal costs and health care costs were higher in the SCP condition relative to the no-SCP condition; however, differences in quality-adjusted life years were negligible.25”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § RESULTS

    No statistically significant differences in time to diagnosis of recurrence or in recurrence-related serious clinical events were reported when specialist follow-up care was compared with transfer of follow-up care to a primary care provider.

    “No statistically significant differences in either outcome was reported when specialist follow-up care was compared with transfer of follow-up care to a PCP.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § DISCUSSION

    The 11 nonrandomized studies that were reviewed were uncontrolled and focused mostly on issues of the feasibility and acceptability of delivering SCPs.

    “Few conclusions can be drawn about impact of SCPs from the 11 nonrandomized studies that were reviewed, because they were uncontrolled and focused mostly on issues of the feasibility and acceptability of delivering SCPs.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § RESULTS

    Across randomized studies, four aspects of risk were frequently rated low: allocation adequately concealed, baseline outcome assessments similar, baseline characteristics similar, and free of selective outcome reporting.

    “Across studies, four aspects of risk were frequently rated low: allocation adequately concealed, baseline outcome assessments similar, baseline characteristics similar, and free of selective outcome reporting.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation
    § RESULTS

    Among the 13 randomized studies, the unit of randomization was the participant in 11 studies, the hospital in one study, and the oncology practice in one study.

    “Among the 13 randomized studies, the unit of randomization was the participant in 11 studies,23,25-33,35 hospital in one study,34 and oncology practice in one study.24”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § RESULTS

    Among the 13 randomized studies, sample sizes ranged from 41 to 968 (median, n = 224).

    “Sample sizes ranged from 41 to 968 (median, n = 224).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § RESULTS

    Among the 11 nonrandomized studies, sample sizes ranged from 10 to 4,021 (median, n = 142).

    “sample sizes ranged from 10 to 4,021 (median, n = 142).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § RESULTS

    Five included studies focused on survivors of childhood-onset cancers and 19 focused on survivors of adult-onset cancers.

    “Five studies focused on survivors of childhood-onset cancers13,19,21,22,31 and 19 focused on survivors of adult-onset cancers.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § RESULTS

    Among 23 studies reporting relevant information, SCPs were likely all delivered within 1 year of treatment completion in nine studies and over wider intervals or longer after treatment completion in 14 studies.

    “SCPs were likely all delivered within 1 year of treatment completion in nine studies14,18,20,24,26,30,32,34,35 and otherwise in 14 studies.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data
    § RESULTS

    Agreement on inclusion or exclusion between the two reviewers for the 41 full-text articles was substantial (90%; κ = 0.790; 95% CI, 0.594 to 0.985).

    “Agreement on inclusion or exclusion between the two reviewers for the 41 articles was substantial (90%; ĸ = 0.790; 95% CI, 0.594 to 0.985).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data
    § METHODS

    Two paired reviewers independently extracted study data and subsequently discussed and resolved discrepancies.

    “Two paired reviewers independently entered this information into a spreadsheet and subsequently discussed and resolved discrepancies.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductcitation
    § METHODS

    Reviewers independently rated the quality of evidence using the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies for nonrandomized studies and items adapted from the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for randomized studies.

    “Reviewers also independently rated the quality of evidence using the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies (QATQS)10 for nonrandomized studies and items adapted from the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for Randomized Controlled Trials11 for randomized studies.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [10]

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [11]

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Conclusion

    Findings are limited but more positive for proximal outcomes (eg, information received) and for care delivery, particularly when SCPs are accompanied by counseling to prepare survivors for future clinical encounters.

    “Findings are limited but more positive for proximal outcomes (eg, information received) and for care delivery, particularly when SCPs are accompanied by counseling to prepare survivors for future clinical encounters.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation
    § DISCUSSION

    This review has a broader scope than previous reviews, encompassing several forms of cancer, and includes many more studies of the impact of SCPs on health outcomes and health care delivery than previous reviews.

    “It has a broader scope than previous reviews,36 encompassing several forms of cancer, and includes many more studies of the impact of SCPs on health outcomes and health care delivery than included in previous reviews.37,38”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [36] Martin TA, 2013, JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [37] source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [38] source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Conclusion

    Possible explanations for the limited evidence include heterogeneity in study designs and the low likelihood that SCP delivery alone would influence distal outcomes.

    “Possible explanations include heterogeneity in study designs and the low likelihood that SCP delivery alone would influence distal outcomes.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § DISCUSSION

    It is premature to conclude that SCPs are not beneficial, given weaknesses in the evidence base that include a limited number of studies, heterogeneity in the content and delivery of SCPs, and unrealistic expectations that one-time delivery of an SCP would improve patient outcomes weeks or months later.

    “However, it is premature to conclude that SCPs are not beneficial, given weaknesses in the evidence base that include a limited number of studies, heterogeneity in the content and delivery of SCPs, and unrealistic expectations that one-time delivery of an SCP would improve patient outcomes weeks or months later.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data
    § METHODS

    Two paired reviewers independently screened study titles and abstracts and reviewed full-text articles to determine study eligibility, with discordance resolved by discussion or a third rater.

    “two paired reviewers independently screened study titles and abstracts and reviewed full-text articles as needed to determine study eligibility. Discussion of discordant eligibility ratings or involvement of a third rater was used to address disagreements.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given
    § DISCUSSION

    The review examined the impact of SCPs only on health outcomes and health care delivery, and did not examine other aspects of SCPs (eg, survivor and provider preferences for SCP content and delivery methods).

    “Finally, the review examined the impact of SCPs only on health outcomes and health care delivery, and did not examine other aspects of SCPs (eg, survivor and provider preferences for SCP content and delivery methods).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given
    § DISCUSSION

    The review was limited to published studies in English and did not include relevant unpublished studies or research in other languages.

    “Additionally, the review was limited to published studies in English and, thus, did not include relevant unpublished studies as well as research in other languages.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
24 of 24
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The outcomes assessed in the included studies adequately capture the benefits SCPs are intended to produce, so that null findings reflect a true absence of effect rather than unmeasured or unassessed benefits.

    “Existing research provides little evidence that SCPs improve health outcomes and health care delivery.”
1 of 1

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • A more comprehensive approach to survivorship care delivery is needed.

    “a previous systematic review of 24 articles comprising 11 nonrandomized and 13 randomized studies concluded that the delivery of a SCP alone is unlikely to achieve the desired benefits, and a more comprehensive approach to survivorship care delivery is needed.43,44”
  • A previous systematic review of 24 articles comprising 11 nonrandomized and 13 randomized studies concluded that the delivery of a SCP alone is unlikely to achieve the desired benefits.

    “a previous systematic review of 24 articles comprising 11 nonrandomized and 13 randomized studies concluded that the delivery of a SCP alone is unlikely to achieve the desired benefits, and a more comprehensive approach to survivorship care delivery is needed.43,44”

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Conflicting study citation for identifying the PCP responsible for follow-up

    Minor

    The results attribute improved identification of the PCP responsible for follow-up to study 27, but the discussion attributes the same finding to study 23.

1 of 1

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. American College of Surgeons Commision on Cancer, 2012, Cancer Program Standards 2012: Ensuring Patient-Centered Care
  2. Martin TA, 2013, JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports, 11, 258

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Jacobsen, P. B., DeRosa, A. P., Henderson, T. O., Mayer, D. K., Moskowitz, C. S., Paskett, E. D., & Rowland, J. H.
Affiliations
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (US)
Corresponding author
Jacobsen, Paul B.
Venue
Journal of Clinical Oncology
Published
2018-07-10
Volume
36
Issue
20
Pages
2088-2100
ISSN
  • 0732-183X (ISSN-L)
  • 1527-7755
OpenAlex
W2803946275
Cited by
274
References
44
Citations by year
2026: 16 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 25 · 2023: 25 · 2022: 27 · 2021: 30 · 2020: 87 · 2019: 40 · 2018: 5
FWCI
4.23
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Clinical Oncology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Pfizer
  • National Cancer Institute (P30CA008748, P30CA016058)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Patient-Provider Communication in Healthcare
Keywords
cancer survivorship care plans, cancer survivors, follow-up care, patient-reported outcomes, health care utilization, satisfaction with care, psychophysical well-being, functional well-being
MeSH terms
Cancer Survivors, Delivery of Health Care, Humans, Neoplasms, Patient Care Planning, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Treatment Outcome

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