What digitally-enabled psychosocial interventions delivered by trained practitioners are offered to adults with life-shortening illnesses and palliative care needs and their informal and professional caregivers? A scoping review

Wood, Michele and Walshe, Catherine and McCullagh, Angela (2023) What digitally-enabled psychosocial interventions delivered by trained practitioners are offered to adults with life-shortening illnesses and palliative care needs and their informal and professional caregivers? A scoping review. Palliative and Supportive Care. ISSN 1478-9515 (In Press)

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Abstract

Objective: Computer-mediated and telephone communication connecting professionals and patients in different locations (eHealth) is now an established way to deliver healthcare. However, there is a lack of information in current reviews of eHealth about psychosocial interventions delivered by trained practitioners for a palliative care population. The aim of this scoping review is to describe digitally-enabled psychosocial interventions being offered to adults with life-shortening or terminal illnesses and carers/families receiving palliative care, and how these are being delivered and evaluated. Methods: Using Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews four databases (MEDLINE; CINAHL; PsycINFO; Academic Search Ultimate) were searched for primary research studies published in peer-reviewed journals (January 2011-April 2021). Inclusion criteria were a) any design reporting and b) psychosocial interventions delivered digitally by palliative care health and social care practitioners to c) adults with life-shortening illnesses. Results: Sixteen publications met the inclusion criteria and came from Europe, including UK (n=8); Asia (n=2); and USA (n=6). Research designs were qualitative and quantitative, embracing pre and post studies, randomised control trials, feasibility, and pilot studies. Standardised and nonstandardised tools were used to evaluate psychological, somatic, functional, and psychosocial outcomes. pproaches underpinning the digital interventions included: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy; Erikson’s Life Review; coping skills training; psycho-education; problem-solving therapy; counselling; emotional support and advice; art therapy. Tools used to deliver the interventions were telephone, text message and email, websites, video, workbooks, and compact discs. Practitioners delivering interventions were counsellors, psychotherapists, psychologists, art therapist, social workers, registered nurses, and trainees. The health conditions of patient participants were Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias, advanced cancers, COPD, and heart failure. Significance of Results: COVID-19 has accelerated usages of digitally-enabled psychosocial interventions. Research evidence indicates a growing interest in hybrid, novel, synchronous and asynchronous digital psychosocial interventions for adults with life-shortening illnesses and their caregivers receiving palliative care.