Abstract
Background: There has been an evolution of various consultation models in the literature. Men affected by prostate cancer can experience a range of unmet supportive care needs. Thus, effective consultations are paramount in the delivery of supportive care to optimize tailored self-management plans at the individual level of need.
Objective: The aim of this study is to critically appraise existing models of consultation and make recommendations for a model of consultation within the scope of clinical practice for prostate cancer care.
Methods: A systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Statement Guidelines. Electronic databases were searched using a wide range of keywords and free text items to increase the sensitivity and inclusiveness of the searches. Findings were integrated in a narrative synthesis.
Results: A total of 1829 articles were retrieved and 17 papers were included. Beneficial features ranged across a number of models that included a person-centered consultation, shared management plans, and safety netting. None of the reviewed models of consultation are suitable for use in prostate cancer care because of a range of limitations and the clinical context in which models were developed. A Cancer Care Consultation Model was informed from critical appraisal of the evidence and expert clinical and service user comment.
Conclusion: Further research is needed to empirically test consultation models in routine clinical practice, specifically for advanced cancer specialist nurses.
Implications for Practice: The Prostate Cancer Model of Consultation can be used to structure clinical consultations to target self-management care plans at the individual level of need over the cancer care continuum.