A Systematic Review on the Effective Teaching Strategies and Methods for Cancer Patient Education

Patient education is crucial for supporting individuals Living with or at risk of cancer. It empowers them with the knowledge necessary to navigate their diagnosis and treatment plan, improve health and digital health Literacy, and facilitate meaningful care engagement. There is a lack of current evidence on the most effective teaching strategies and methods for supporting individuals living with or at risk of developing cancer. As such, this systematic review aims to explore effective cancer patient education strategies and methods in terms of knowledge, physical and psychological well-being, satisfaction, experience, and self-efficacy. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Prospero, and Epistemonikos.org for Guidelines, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses published between January 2018 and June 2024, capturing the key concepts of teaching strategies or delivery methods for cancer patient education. Of the 3762 articles screened, 27 met the inclusion criteria. Study findings showed that one-on-one and group teaching strategies are effective in terms of improving psychological well-being, reducing anxiety, and enhancing cancer-related knowledge. The combination of these strategies in a multi-modality teaching strategy is effective in addressing diverse needs of learners and enhancing outcomes. Teaching materials and methods, including tailored written materials, verbal discussion, audio-visual materials, and technology-based tools (e.g., eLearning platforms), are effective strategies in different contexts, with certain aspects that should be carefully considered. By considering these various teaching strategies and the context in which they are most effective, learners can be better empowered to make informed decisions regarding their health and care.