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Review of educational interventions for patients requiring palliative care: A scoping review
Marine Bourgninaud1, Valérie Loizeau2, Vincent De Andrade1
1University School of Nursing Research (EURSI), Sorbonne Paris Nord University, Bobigny, France; Education and Health Promotion Laboratory (LEPS UR 3412), Sorbonne Paris Nord University, Bobigny, France.
Background:
Palliative care aims to improve the quality of life of individuals with serious, progressive illnesses. Therapeutic patient education is a key approach for enhancing patient autonomy and empowerment. However, structured educational interventions for patients receiving palliative care remain poorly documented in the literature, in contrast to the growing body of evidence regarding education for caregivers and healthcare professionals.
Objectives:
This scoping review aims to identify and characterize therapeutic patient education interventions implemented in palliative care, and to synthesize available evidence regarding their objectives, delivery methods, and reported effects, in order to highlight gaps in current practices.
Method:
A systematic search of international databases was conducted according to JBI and PRISMA-ScR principles. Articles in English and French were analyzed thematically using the Paillé and Mucchielli method. The PCC framework guided inclusion criteria. Twenty-one articles were included, the majority involving cancer populations.
Discussion:
Interventions focused primarily on symptom management and on psychological and informational needs, and were predominantly designed by professionals rather than informed by patients' own expressed needs. Pedagogical modalities were heterogeneous. Interventions were mainly delivered by nurses. Effects were assessed predominantly through clinical and quality-of-life indicators, with very limited assessment of skill development or patient empowerment outcomes. These findings suggest that a robust evidence base for patient-centered therapeutic education in palliative care has yet to be established.
Conclusion:
Educational interventions in palliative care remain insufficiently focused on individualized educational assessment. Future approaches must prioritize skills development, patient autonomy, and the co-design of interventions with patients and caregivers. Institutional recognition of therapeutic patient education as a standard of palliative care and dedicated research funding are identified as key priorities.