A Cross-Sectional Study on the Impact of Nurse-Led Health Coaching on Oncology Patient Outcomes

Abstract

Background: Nurse-led health coaching is a promising intervention in oncology care aimed at improving patient-centered outcomes such as self-efficacy, symptom management, and adherence. This study investigates the association between the frequency of health coaching sessions and key clinical and psychosocial outcomes among cancer patients undergoing active treatment. Objective: To explore the impact of nurse-led health coaching on self-efficacy, symptom severity, adherence, shared decision-making, and emotional well-being in oncology patients, with outcomes assessed immediately after coaching sessions. Methods: A cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted with 326 adult cancer patients receiving outpatient treatment at comprehensive cancer centers. Eligible participants had completed at least two health coaching sessions within the previous three months. Data were collected using validated tools, including the PROMIS Global-10 for symptom severity, the Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Disease 6-Item Scale, and the CollaboRATE shared decision-making measure. All outcomes were assessed immediately after a coaching session to ensure accurate reflection of patients’ experiences. Logistic regression analysis examined the relationships between coaching frequency and outcomes, adjusting for demographic and clinical factors. Results: Patients who attended five or more health coaching sessions had significantly greater odds of achieving high self-efficacy (OR = 2.68, 95% CI: 1.75–4.11), low symptom severity (OR = 2.14, 95% CI: 1.41–3.23), and high adherence (OR = 2.89, 95% CI: 1.82–4.58). Additionally, frequent coaching was strongly associated with improved shared decision-making (OR = 3.45, 95% CI: 2.21–5.38) and emotional well-being (OR = 3.12, 95% CI: 2.00–4.87). Coaching also significantly reduced fatigue and pain levels. Conclusion: Frequent nurse-led health coaching significantly improves both clinical and psychosocial outcomes in oncology patients. These findings emphasize the importance of integrating structured coaching interventions into routine cancer care.