The nature, scope and use of web-based interventions for patients with head and neck cancer: A Scoping Review

Background
Incidence of head and neck cancer is rising in the UK. Treatment modalities with curative intent are: surgery; radiotherapy; combination therapy. Accurate and representative information can promote shared decision-making and preparedness for treatment.
Aims
Two research questions were developed:
1. What web-based interventions are available for patients with head and neck cancer to aid decision-making and preparedness for treatment?
2. From empirical studies, identify and review how head and neck cancer patients use web-based interventions across the treatment trajectory.
Methods
Criteria: For empirical studies: patients over 18 years; primary research studies; web-based interventions including specific head and neck cancer content. For web sites: first 100 unique sites accessible through Google.
Searches: For empirical studies: January 2010-December 2020. Medline Ovid; Scopus; Pubmed; Embase; Cochrane; PsychInfo; Web of Science. Websites: 3rd February 2021.
Analysis: For empirical studies: Data extraction included author; year of publication; journal; database; search terms; design; outcomes; final inclusion. Thematic analysis using Thomas and Hayden's 3-step framework of coding, descriptive and analytical themes.
Websites: Health on the Net certified. QUEST appraisal tool.
Results
Themes from empirical papers:
Providing information about head and neck cancer and related treatments; Ongoing advice and support during treatment; Management strategies promoting adjustments to life with and beyond cancer; Optimisation and quality of web-based interventions for head and neck cancer patients
Themes from websites:
Patient stories; Information on the management of head and neck cancer; Information about the healthcare professionals/head and neck cancer team.
Conclusions
No evidence of other scoping reviews melding research papers and websites to
understand availability of resources for head and neck cancer patients. Lack of
interventions including patient narratives to aid decision-making and preparedness for treatment. Given the paucity of theory-based, co-design web-based interventions, there is a need for further work.