Assessing patients' experiences of cancer care across the treatment pathway: a mapping review of recent psychosocial cancer care publications

PurposePatients are a critical source of information about the quality of the components of cancer care that contributes to optimal psychosocial outcomes. Recently published research was examined to determine the: (1) proportion of studies that examined at least one of 14 components of cancer care, (2) the proportion of studies that included multiple components of care, and (3) the phase of the cancer care pathway in which data collection occurred (i.e. pre-, during and post-treatment).MethodsMEDLINE was searched to retrieve all data-based publications indexed for two international psychosocial cancer care journals (Supportive Care in Cancer and Psycho-Oncology) over a 2-year period. A total of 333 publications yielded 214 eligible publications that were assessed against the 14 components of care for which measurement by healthcare providers at multiple phases during cancer care is recommended. Publications were coded based on the: (1) specific component/s of care focused upon in the research, (2) number of components examined and (3) timing of data collection.ResultsThe most frequently assessed component of care was physical and psychosocial screening (n=198, 93%). Most studies (n=187, 87%) examined a single component of care. No studies assessed all 14 components. Only seven studies (2.1%) examined components of care across multiple phases of the care pathway.ConclusionsRecently published studies have examined limited segments of patients' experiences of cancer care. To improve psychosocial outcomes among people living with and beyond cancer, there should be a greater focus on patients' experiences across multiple components and the whole care pathway.