The effect of nurse‐led remote telephone triage on symptom management of patients with cancer: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract

Background

Cancer patients experience many symptoms. Nurse-led remote telephone triage can improve their quality of life by contributing to the management of these symptoms.

Aims

This study aimed to investigate the effects of nurse-led remote telephone triage on symptom management of patients with cancer.

Methods

The searches were conducted in 10 databases and gray literature from May 2023 to July 2023 without any year limitations. A fixed-effects model was used in the meta-analysis. Cochran's Q chi-squared test and I ² statistics were used for heterogeneity. The PRISMA checklist was used. Data obtained from the included studies were analyzed using CMA 3 software.

Results

Six relevant studies (1671 patients) were included. Nurse-led remote telephone triage was found to have a positive and moderate effect on parameters such as pain (Hedge's g = 0.21, p < .001), fatigue (Hedge's g = 0.28, p < .001), and depression (Hedge's g = 0.24, p < .001) in patients with cancer. Also, the remote telephone triage had a positive and low effect on outcomes such as anxiety (Hedge's g = 0.17, p = .001), nausea (Hedge's g = 0.17, p = .004), and vomiting (Hedge's g = 0.16, p = .007) but did not affect diarrhea results.

Linking Evidence to Action

This study showed that nurse-led remote telephone triage considerably improved the symptoms of patients with cancer. This study will increase oncology nurses' awareness that nurse-led remote telephone triage of patients with cancer can improve their symptoms. Remote symptom triage developed using evidence-based guidelines and protocols can significantly contribute to the regular follow-up of patients' symptoms, providing quality care, and establishing appropriate symptom management programs and systems with high levels of evidence.