Towards a framework for reporting self-guided interventions for people with cancer

Area of Science:

• Behavioral science
• Health psychology
• Digital health

Background:

• Self-guided interventions offer cost-effective and resource-efficient healthcare solutions.
• Previous reviews indicate mixed evidence regarding the efficacy of these interventions.
• Current literature lacks detailed descriptions, hindering the identification of successful intervention components.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an updated review of recent developments in self-guided interventions.
• To describe the current state of knowledge in the field.
• To highlight the need for improved reporting standards.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of recent literature on self-guided interventions.
• Analysis of existing studies to identify limitations in intervention descriptions.
• Exploration of potential solutions for enhancing evidence quality.

Main Results:

• The evidence base for self-guided interventions remains mixed.
• A significant limitation is the lack of detailed intervention descriptions, preventing the identification of effective elements.
• Patient adherence, engagement, and safety require further investigation.

Conclusions:

• A standardized reporting framework is essential for clearly presenting self-guided interventions.
• Such a framework would improve the understanding of intervention effectiveness and enhance study quality.
• Prioritizing patient safety and support within these interventions is paramount.