Patient Education Strategies in Radiotherapy: A Narrative Review of Tools, Timing, and Therapist Roles.

The review was done with the aim of compiling the nature and efficiency of the patient education interventions used in radiotherapy, with a specific focus on the education materials, timing of delivery, and skill levels of therapists. A narrative synthesis was carried out across the 12 original studies involved, which used quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods. The five thematic areas were examined: modality, standardisation, timing of delivery, therapist involvement, and patient-reported outcomes. Educational strategies were delivered in face-to-face contact (58%) or video-based materials (33%), the majority following predetermined guidelines. In 75% studies, visual or multimedia support was offered, and its duration varied between 8.6 and 80 minutes. Approximately 67% of such interventions were conducted before radiotherapy initiation and as part of normal clinical practice. Despite significant heterogeneity in education delivery and therapist training, patient education interventions in radiotherapy were associated with better knowledge and, to a lesser extent, anxiety reduction and satisfaction.