FreshRSS

🔒
❌ Acerca de FreshRSS
Hay nuevos artículos disponibles. Pincha para refrescar la página.
AnteayerTus fuentes RSS

Exploring the role of symptom monitoring in self-management of chronic physical health conditions experienced by women: protocol for a scoping review

Por: Thompson · H. · Boivin · J. · Csontos · J. K. · Jackowich · R.
Introduction

Self-management is essential for girls, women and individuals assigned female at birth (AFAB) living with chronic physical health conditions. Evidence suggests that symptom monitoring can support self-management and empower individuals, yet limited research has explored how symptom monitoring is conceptualised, implemented and integrated within self-management frameworks considering the unique needs of biological, gendered and social factors affecting women and people AFAB. This scoping review aims to explore the role of symptom monitoring in self-management for girls, women and individuals AFAB. To achieve this, this review aims to define and conceptualise symptom monitoring and self-management, map existing symptom monitoring interventions and mechanisms linked to self-management and identify how sex, gender and systemic influences are considered in the context of chronic physical health conditions.

Methods and analysis

This scoping review will be reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews checklist. Six bibliographic databases (Cochrane Library, Scopus, PsycINFO (Ovid), MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE (Ovid) and CINAHL (EBSCO)) were searched from inception to 13 May 2025. Eligible studies will include primary research from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries, published in English, involving girls, women and individuals AFAB with chronic physical health conditions that involve symptom-monitoring tools linked to self-management. Studies focusing solely on obesity without reference to chronic conditions, acute illnesses or mental health conditions will be excluded. Screening will be undertaken independently by two reviewers in Rayyan, and citation management will be supported through reference software. Data extraction will follow Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidance, capturing study characteristics, participant demographics and definitions related to symptom monitoring and self-management. Both inductive and deductive qualitative content analyses will be used: deductively, data will be organised according to the population, concept and context framework and research objectives. Inductively, descriptive categories will be developed from the data. Two complementary approaches will guide coding such as direct extraction of data and content coding of structured textual information, and thematic coding of interpretive data, supported by Microsoft Excel and SPSS. A small subset (5%–10%) will be double-coded to ensure consistency. Key outputs will include descriptive tables showing representation of girls, women and people AFAB by condition and context, following a synthesis of symptom monitoring and self-management (through theory/models). Tables summarising symptom-monitoring tools, mechanisms and a table outlining moderating factors influencing symptom monitoring and self-management experiences will be presented. Results will be presented through narrative summaries and visual diagrams to illustrate key relationships and concepts.

Ethics and dissemination

Formal ethical approval is not required for this study, as no primary data will be collected. The results of this scoping review will be shared with a wide range of audiences, including healthcare professionals, researchers, the public, policymakers, charities and patient advocacy groups. In the efforts of dissemination, this work strives to promote inclusive, evidence-based and equitable approaches to symptom monitoring and self-management among girls, women and people AFAB living with chronic physical health conditions.

Study registration

This protocol has been registered on the Open Science Framework, .

Patients' experiences of cancer immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors: A systematic review and thematic synthesis

Abstract

Aim

To obtain a deeper understanding of peoples' experiences of cancer treatments with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).

Background

ICIs are transforming survival outcomes for many with certain advanced cancers. Given the possibility of unique immune-related adverse events (irAEs), understanding treatment experiences is crucial to identify support needs and provide safe and effective person-centred care.

Design

A systematic review of qualitative research and thematic synthesis. To report this review, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Analysis and Meta Analysis (PRISMA) checklist and Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research (ENTREQ) guidance have been used.

Data Sources

MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Web of Science databases were searched in January 2022 for eligible studies published in English from database inception.

Review Methods

Two reviewers independently screened records, identified papers for inclusion and appraised methodological quality using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist. Themes were developed using thematic synthesis.

Results

Eighteen papers were included and three analytical themes developed: immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment decision-making; the experience and impact of immune checkpoint inhibitor treatments; and appraising and responding to irAEs.

Conclusion

The synthesis renders visible individuals' unmet information, psychological and practical support needs. It identifies shortcomings in immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment decision-making processes and highlights the need for healthcare professionals to recognise and sensitively handle individuals' treatment expectations. Individuals' understandings of and responses to irAEs are also illustrated, and attention drawn to patients' concerns about healthcare professionals' checkpoint inhibitor and irAEs knowledge.

Implications for Patient Care

To sensitively manage treatment expectations and uncertainties, and optimise health outcomes, there are distinct points in treatment trajectories where care and support might require adapting and enhancing.

Impact

This review addresses people's experiences of immune checkpoint inhibitor treatments. The core findings reveal unmet information, psychological and practical support needs. Insights derived from this review will enhance individuals' experiences and outcomes and healthcare professionals' practice.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public involvement.

❌