Nursing Workload in Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy Day Units: A Scoping Review and Gap Analysis

This scoping review aims to identify, summarize, and compare evidence from studies examining nursing workload in Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT) day units. The search included from January 2000 to 2025. Electronic databases, including MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, EMBASE (Elsevier), ASSIA (ProQuest), Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Global Index Medicus (WHO), were selected. A simplified search strategy was applied across platforms such as Open Gray, Google Scholar, Scopus, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, and OAIster.20 studies were included in this review; among these, 16 studies were single centre. The studies were categorized into patient dependency workload (acuity tools, regimen-based patient dependency, and patient-based assessment) and nursing time workload. This review identified a significant gap in the literature, as the included studies largely failed to address non-patient-related care. It also highlighted that the complexity of SACT treatments influences nursing workload beyond patient numbers. This review underscores the distinct nature of nursing workload in SACT day units, the complexity and specialized nature of care required in SACT day units, and it highlights the need for refined workload measurement tools.