Scoping review of psychosocial support interventions in oncology nursing: Applications across diverse and underserved cancer populations.

BACKGROUND

Psychological distress is common across the cancer continuum, and oncology nurses play a central role in psychosocial care. This scoping review mapped psychosocial support interventions involving oncology nurses, with emphasis on applications in diverse and underserved populations.

METHODS

Guided by Arksey & O'Malley and JBI methodologies, five databases were searched (2018-2025). The findings are reported in line with PRISMA-ScR. Eligible studies included psychosocial interventions delivered by or in collaboration with oncology nurses. Data were extracted on study design, populations, intervention type, nurse role, outcomes, and implementation features.

RESULTS

Interventions encompassed counselling, psychoeducation, group and peer programs, caregiver-focused approaches, digital and telehealth formats, and complementary modalities. Nurse-led and structured approaches were associated with small-to-moderate improvements in anxiety, depression, and quality of life in some studies, while digital programs demonstrated modest benefits when supported by clinician guidance. Caregiver-focused interventions often reduced perceived burden, and studies involving underserved populations revealed persistent unmet psychosocial needs linked to financial toxicity, limited health literacy, and restricted service access. Common barriers included cost, stigma, the digital divide, and insufficient nurse training; facilitators included nurse navigation, community partnerships, telehealth models with professional support, and culturally tailored designs.

CONCLUSIONS

Oncology nurses deliver psychosocial interventions with measurable yet variable benefits across psychological, symptom, and caregiver outcomes. However, evidence remains uneven, particularly for marginalized groups and in non-Western contexts. Recommendations include embedding culturally tailored distress screening, enhancing nurse training in psychosocial care, and conducting equity-focused trials in low- and middle-income countries to guide scalable, digitally inclusive oncology nursing models.