Adult cancer survivors' experiences of health care interactions and unmet needs in health care services: a systematic review protocol

Abstract

Review question/objective The aim of this review is to synthesize the best available evidence of adult cancer survivors' experiences interacting with health care practitioners and the health care system and the unmet needs they identify in the provision of services in the healthcare system. Inclusion criteria Types of participants This review will consider studies that include adult survivors (18 years and older) of solid tumors, excluding lymphoma, who are under 60 years of age at time of initial diagnosis. A cancer survivor will be defined as an individual who has concluded primary treatment and may be in remission or cured, but does not have active advanced disease/ metastatic disease or is undertaking palliative treatment. Phenomena of interest This review will consider studies that investigate the experience of cancer survivors, their interactions with the healthcare system and healthcare practitioners, and the unmet needs they experience in the healthcare system over the course of their survivor-ship. The health care system will include health care practitioners within medicine, nursing, allied health and complimentary therapies but will exclude alternative therapies. Context This review will consider studies occurring in any country.