Head and neck cancer peer-to-peer support and quality of life: systematic scoping review

Rebecca A Hatton; Julie Crane; Simon N Rogers; Jo Patterson

doi:10.12968/bjon.2022.31.5.S30

Head and neck cancer peer-to-peer support and quality of life: systematic scoping review

Br J Nurs. 2022 Mar 10;31(5):S30-S36. doi: 10.12968/bjon.2022.31.5.S30.

Authors

Rebecca A Hatton¹, Julie Crane², Simon N Rogers³, Jo Patterson⁴

Affiliations

¹ Medical Student, School of Health Sciences, Institute of Population Health/Liverpool Head and Neck Centre, University of Liverpool.
² Senior Lecturer, Nursing, School of Health Sciences, University of Liverpool, formerly Centre Manager, North West Cancer Research Centre, University of Liverpool.
³ Professor and Consultant Maxillofacial Surgeon, Faculty of Health, Social Care and Medicine, Edge Hill University and Liverpool Head and Neck Centre, Liverpool University Hospital Aintree, ORCID iD: 0000-0002-5989-6142.
⁴ Professor of Speech and Language Therapy, School of Health Sciences, Institute of Population Health/Liverpool Head and Neck Centre, University of Liverpool.

PMID: 35271361
DOI: 10.12968/bjon.2022.31.5.S30

Abstract

Background/aim: The aim of this scoping review was to summarise the current evidence for peer-to-peer support and its impact on quality of life (QoL) in head and neck cancer (HNC).

Methods: Five search engines were used-PubMed, CINAHL, APA PyscInfo, Web of Science and HaNDLE-on-QoL-to look for publications between 1981 and 2020. Adapted PICO (population, intervention, comparator and outcome) and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) methodology was used.

Results: Of the 1408 papers identified, 10 met the inclusion criteria: five qualitative, two cross-sectional, one case-control, one cohort and one quasi-experimental design. There were four common themes: patient experience of peer-to-peer support, delivery of peer-to-peer support, engagement with peer-to-peer support and impact on QoL.

Conclusion: This review highlights the paucity of evidence with regard to QoL and peer-to-peer support in HNC. It provides a summary of the literature and identifies considerations for clinical practice and future research.

Keywords: Emotional wellbeing; Head and neck cancer; Laryngectomy; Quality of life; Social support; Systematic review.

Publication types

Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Counseling
Cross-Sectional Studies
Head and Neck Neoplasms*
Humans
Quality of Life*
Research Design