The effect of nurse-led remote telephone triage on symptom management of patients with cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: Cancer patients experience many symptoms. Nurse-led remote telephone triage can improve their quality of life by contributing to the management of these symptoms. Aims: This study aimed to investigate the effects of nurse-led remote telephone triage on symptom management of patients with cancer. Methods: The searches were conducted in 10 databases and gray literature from May 2023 to July 2023 without any year limitations. A fixed-effects model was used in the meta-analysis. Cochran's Q chi-squared test and I2 statistics were used for heterogeneity. The PRISMA checklist was used. Data obtained from the included studies were analyzed using CMA 3 software. Results: Six relevant studies (1671 patients) were included. Nurse-led remote telephone triage was found to have a positive and moderate effect on parameters such as pain (Hedge's g = 0.21, p