EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES FOR CAREGIVERS IN THE CONTEXT OF PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY HOSPITAL UNITS: A SCOPING REVIEW

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: mapping the scientific evidence about the use of educational technologies for caregivers in the context of Pediatric Oncology hospital units. Method: this is a scoping review based on the PRISMA-ScR recommendations and on the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. The search was performed by two independent reviewers in 12 national and international data sources. Publications available in full and free of charge in electronic means were included, with no language or time restrictions. Abstracts were excluded, as well as letters to the editor, opinion articles, books, monographies, dissertations, theses, blog postings, and theoretical and reflection articles. Data analysis was descriptive, with elaboration of charts and absolute and relative frequency statistics. Results: the final sample was comprised by 15 studies published between 2010 and 2020 and mainly from developed countries. Apps and videos were the predominant educational technologies, followed by printed materials, contributing to increasing the caregivers' knowledge about the disease and cancer treatment, symptom management and side effects of the chemotherapy drugs. In addition, when compared to printed materials, the videos showed a reduction in the caregivers' anxiety levels. The professionals most involved with the technologies were nurses and physicians. Conclusion: it was possible to map that apps and videos are the main educational technologies that are being developed to instruct caregivers, addressing diagnosis and treatment of child-youth cancer, symptom management and self-care promotion.