Patient and Caregiver Education to Support Self-Efficacy and Self-Management During Immunotherapy-An Integrative Review.

BACKGROUND

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have improved cancer treatment, but this treatment can lead to immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Effective patient and caregiver education is essential to better management of irAEs and improved treatment outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

This integrative review aimed to elucidate how patient education on ICI efficacy and toxicity management affects patients with cancer and their family caregivers' self-efficacy and self-management when dealing with irAEs.

METHODS

An integrative review was conducted. EMBASE, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Scopus were searched for original research articles. Studies on educational interventions related to ICI and how it affects self-efficacy and self-management of irAEs were included. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Of 4182 references screened; seven studies were included. Three themes emerged: (a) Feasibility of various strategies in patient education, (b) The effect of patient education on self-efficacy, and (c) Determinants to improve self-management of irAEs.

CONCLUSION

While traditional patient education methods (oral and/or written information) remain valuable, integrating digital technologies is promising to enhance understanding of ICI. Patient education, especially when combined with follow-up, can improve health-related quality of life and self-efficacy. However, health literacy plays a critical role in treatment and management of irAEs, emphasizing the need for personalized education approaches.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The protocol is registered with PROSPERO (No. CRD42024511513).