Table 2

Characteristics of included studies

Authors-year of publication- geographical locationPurpose of studyStudy designMethods/measurement toolsSampleSignificant findings
Allsop et al 2019 UK25Detail the creation and assessment of an e-Health tool designed to manage pain in patients with advanced cancer.A pragmatic multicentre randomised controlled trial.An approach combining disciplined agile delivery in software development with research methods from health science/PainCheck.Patients undergoing palliative anticancer treatment (n=161).The use of health information technology systems to assist patients with advanced cancer is a crucial area for enhancing healthcare and is currently in its nascent phase.
Cornetta et al 2023 Kenya27Evaluate the feasibility of Telehospice for managing symptoms in patients following their stay at a tertiary care hospital in Western Kenya.An interventional trial.Participants were monitored for 8 weeks via a weekly programme aimed at evaluating physical symptoms and distress in both patients and caregivers /telehospice.Patients with cancer (n=30).Telehospice is feasible and can serve as a temporary solution for providing care to end-of-life patients who lack access to home-based PC services.
Hackett et al 2020 UK26To investigate the viewpoints of healthcare providers and patients regarding their interaction with an information and communication technology system designed for managing pain.Qualitative study integrated into a randomised control study.Semi-structured interviews were carried out with patients in their homes and with nursing assistants at their workplaces/ PainCheck.Patients (n=12); specialised clinical nurses (n=12).The involvement of healthcare professionals was crucial to patient engagement with the ICT system. Both patients and healthcare professionals expressed satisfaction with the use of the system alongside usual care.
Ho et al 2022 Tanzania23To evaluate clinicians’ attitudes, beliefs and perceptions about the usability and usefulness of the mPCL with their patients in an urban cancer hospital in Tanzania.Mixed-methods.Surveys, qualitative interviews and system usage data was employed among clinicians/mPCL.Patients with hospitalised cancer (n=49);
healthcare professionals (n=16).
The mPCL was viewed as a means of maintaining contact with patients and facilitating remote symptom management.
Hochstenbach et al11 2016 NetherlandsTo describe the feasibility of a multicomponent intervention (mobile and online) in daily outpatient cancer pain management practice.A one-group post-test study.A combination of questionnaires, observations and interviews was used among patients and nurses/a mobile application connected to a web application.Outpatients with cancer pain (n=11); nurses specialised in pain and PC (n=3).The study results show that the intervention is feasible for everyday use, as it allows patients with cancer to manage their pain independently and enables nurses to provide remote support.
Ingram et al 2020 USA24Investigate how technology-assisted care coordination can improve palliative hospice care.A quality improvement initiative.Improve PC at a rural hospice following the Define-Measure-Analyse-Improve-Control Process/ PEACE.Patients in PC (n=50).PEACE has enhanced PC by providing symptom management and patient support via CMP and TACP.
Wilkie et al 2020 USA22To compare the impact of standard PC vs PAINRelieveIt on pain progression in patients and their informal caregivers.A five-step randomised controlled trial.Patients and lay carers participated in an experimental intervention (control group vs experimental group) that measured pain management before and after the intervention /PAINRelieveIt.Patients with cancer in hospice (n=234); informal caregivers (n=231).The study demonstrated non-significant effects on patients’ pain symptoms but revealed significant impacts on their informal caregivers’ misconceptions about pain.
  • CMP, Condition Management Protocol; mPCL, Mobile Palliative Care Link; PC, palliative care; PEACE, Palliative/End-of-Life/Assessment/Care Coordination/Evidence-Based Program ; TACP, Technology-Assisted Care Pathway.