The Impact of Nurse-Led Clinics on Patient Satisfaction in Oncology Care: A Systematic Literature Review.

Abstract

Background: Due to the increasing complexity of cancer treatment in recent years, it has become crucial to establish a more patient-focused and efficient model of care delivery. Nurse-led clinics have emerged as a promising approach to meeting the demanding requirements of cancer care delivery, particularly within the emotionally and physically challenging field of oncology. This innovative approach aims to enhance patient satisfaction by providing personalised, holistic, and readily accessible services, and understanding the impact of nurse-led clinics on patient satisfaction is thus crucial in terms of optimising cancer care delivery and supporting practice development. Aim: This systematic literature review aims to examine the impact of nurse-led clinics on patient satisfaction in oncology care settings. Methodology: A comprehensive search was performed across three reputable databases: CINAHL, Medline, and EMBASE, utilising PRISMA guidelines. Strict inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, along with specific keywords and combinations. Following a critical quality appraisal using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) criteria, eight studies were found to meet the eligibility criteria for further review. Results: The eight studies identified for review were conducted across four different countries; they utilised a variety of study designs, including randomised controlled trials (RCTs), surveys, cross-sectional designs, and sequential multi-method designs. The focus was on oncology care settings, and studies were then categorised based on their findings around patient satisfaction with nurse-led follow-up, covering aspects such as patients' perceived satisfaction, the effectiveness of nurse-led follow-up, perceived convenience and accessibility, continuity of care, and cost-effectiveness of care. Conclusions: This literature review identified several key areas for improvement in patient satisfaction within nurse-led clinics: patients' perceived satisfaction, effectiveness of nurse-led follow-up, convenience and accessibility, continuity of care, and cost-effectiveness. The studies overall emphasised the positive impact of nurse-led clinics on patient satisfaction and outcomes in oncology care, however, highlighting the potential of such settings to enhance patient care by providing personalised and accessible supportive services. Future research should therefore focus on identifying and addressing various implementation barriers and evaluating long-term outcomes to further elucidate the benefits of nurse-led models in oncology care delivery.