Oncology Treatment in India: A Narrative Exploration of Patient Engagement and Care Strategies

The growing burden of cancer poses a significant public health challenge, with late-stage diagnoses leading to severe health complications. As a life-altering disease, cancer not only impacts individuals but also affects their families, communities, and the nation as a whole. Effective patient engagement is crucial for improving health outcomes, and while India has made considerable progress in this area, several challenges persist. This narrative review aims to explore patient engagement and care strategies implemented by oncology healthcare providers across India. In order to do this, a comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google, using keywords such as patient engagement, patient engagement in oncology, patient engagement by cancer care hospitals, community engagement, community outreach, and patient-centered care by oncology service providers. Websites of key oncology service providers were also explored to identify the patient engagement and care strategies implemented by these service providers. The review specifically examines research from India to ensure relevance to the country's healthcare landscape. These strategies include patient education and empowerment, technology-driven innovations, community-based initiatives, patient-centered communication, health gamification and incentive programs, and caregiver and family involvement. Findings indicate that enhancing community participation, expanding financial support programs, integrating artificial intelligence (AI)-powered digital health solutions, and increasing telemedicine accessibility can significantly improve patient involvement and health outcomes. The review found numerous barriers that hinder widespread adoption, including disparities in healthcare access, low health literacy, lack of awareness and motivation, technological challenges, increasing out-of-pocket expenses, an insufficient medical workforce, and limited cancer research. Systematically addressing these challenges is essential for establishing an inclusive, accessible, and patient-centered oncology care system in India.