Factors associated with healthcare providers’ lifestyle information provision to adult patients in oncology: A systematic literature review

Given the importance of a healthy lifestyle for cancer patients’ health outcomes and quality of life, this study aimed to synthesize the literature on factors (perceived as) hindering or facilitating healthcare providers’ provision of lifestyle information in oncology. Based on this synthesis, we additionally derived recommendations to improve this practice, which were independently validated by experts. A systematic literature review was conducted. PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL Ultimate, and PsycINFO were searched. We screened titles and abstracts, aided by ASReview, and full texts. Peer-reviewed articles published from 2007–2022 were included, reporting non-interventional studies on factors that HCPs associated with lifestyle information provision to adult cancer patients. We identified 20,176 unique articles, of which 108 articles were included. Most articles studied factors related to information provision about physical activity, smoking, or a combination of lifestyle behaviors. Factors associated with lifestyle information provision fell into four main groups; factors related to the (1) HCP (e.g., knowledge), (2) patient (e.g., interest), (3) relationships between HCPs, patients, and stakeholders (e.g., support), and (4) organization (e.g., resources). The factors were linked to whether, how, and when information is provided. The review provides an overview of factors associated with communication about different lifestyle behaviors across HCPs and cancer types. Based on the findings, we formulated recommendations for future research and for clinical practice, which were validated via interviews with nine oncology HCPs, confirming feasibility with minor adjustments. Overall, lifestyle information provision as a whole and associated factors deserve more attention in clinical practice and scientific research.