A Literature Review of Patient Education: Is IT Time to Move Forward?

Introduction: Patient education is fundamental to high-quality care, enabling patient empowerment and improving outcomes and quality of life. Therefore, identifying the most effective education method should take precedence. Modern society relies heavily on technology and the Internet. Consequently, computer-based learning systems (CBLSs) have been introduced to increase information efficacy. This review aims to establish whether CBLSs should replace standard education for cancer populations. Methods: A systematic review of up-to-date studies comparing CBLSs and standard education for cancer patients was conducted. Results were assessed in terms of outcomes (knowledge, satisfaction, and decision making) and patient characteristics (age, sex, and socioeconomic status). Results: Results are conflicting. Although CBLSs scored highly in certain outcomes, standard education was more suited to some patient characteristics. Additionally, subgroups of society (older and low socioeconomic populations) were poorly represented in studies. Conclusions: Up-to-date research on cancer patient education is lacking. Results indicate that although CBLSs for cancer education show promise, further research is required.