The role of patient portals for cancer patients: a systematic review of benefits, challenges, and opportunities
Dublin Core
Title
The role of patient portals for cancer patients: a systematic review of benefits, challenges, and opportunities
Subject
cancer, digital health, health information system, health services, patient portals
Description
Introduction: Cancer patients have a complex journey. Technological developments offer convenience in
communicating and accessing health information. Cancer patient portals were developed to coordinate and integrate
care by overcoming existing barriers. This study aims to explain the benefits, challenges, and opportunities of using
patient portals in oncology services.
Methods: The design of this study was a systematic review, with the source articles drawn from PubMed, ScienceDirect,
ProQuest, EBSCOhost, and Scopus. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to screen articles with the PRISMA 2020
guidelines. A critical appraisal was conducted using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist 2020 and the MMAT 2018.
Narrative descriptive approaches are used for data synthesis.
Results: We screened 3,301 articles using inclusion, exclusion, and duplication criteria, resulting in 10 articles for
analysis. Communication and care coordination (n=4) were among the main benefits of using patient portals. Perceived
obstacles such as limited resources (n=2), socio-demographic challenges (n=3), and limited information sources (n=2)
are still found. On the other hand, the use of patient portals creates opportunities to address information needs and
provide assistance (n=1), increase security and privacy (n=1), and improve service efficiency (n=2).
Conclusions: Patient portals play an essential role in improving coordination and engagement among cancer patients,
despite ongoing challenges related to access and digital literacy. For nursing, these portals strengthen nurses' roles in
education, coordination, and the use of evidence-based technology to improve the quality of care.
communicating and accessing health information. Cancer patient portals were developed to coordinate and integrate
care by overcoming existing barriers. This study aims to explain the benefits, challenges, and opportunities of using
patient portals in oncology services.
Methods: The design of this study was a systematic review, with the source articles drawn from PubMed, ScienceDirect,
ProQuest, EBSCOhost, and Scopus. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to screen articles with the PRISMA 2020
guidelines. A critical appraisal was conducted using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist 2020 and the MMAT 2018.
Narrative descriptive approaches are used for data synthesis.
Results: We screened 3,301 articles using inclusion, exclusion, and duplication criteria, resulting in 10 articles for
analysis. Communication and care coordination (n=4) were among the main benefits of using patient portals. Perceived
obstacles such as limited resources (n=2), socio-demographic challenges (n=3), and limited information sources (n=2)
are still found. On the other hand, the use of patient portals creates opportunities to address information needs and
provide assistance (n=1), increase security and privacy (n=1), and improve service efficiency (n=2).
Conclusions: Patient portals play an essential role in improving coordination and engagement among cancer patients,
despite ongoing challenges related to access and digital literacy. For nursing, these portals strengthen nurses' roles in
education, coordination, and the use of evidence-based technology to improve the quality of care.
Creator
Halfie Zaqiyah Gusti Puspitasari1* , Agung Subakti Nuzulullail1
, Dwina Oktavia Deli1
,
Dana Prayoga Irawan2
, and Bagaskara Yogatama3,4
, Dwina Oktavia Deli1
,
Dana Prayoga Irawan2
, and Bagaskara Yogatama3,4
Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.20473/jn.v20i4.69709
Date
22 November 2025
Contributor
peri irawan
Format
pdf
Language
english
Type
text
Files
Collection
Citation
Halfie Zaqiyah Gusti Puspitasari1* , Agung Subakti Nuzulullail1
, Dwina Oktavia Deli1
,
Dana Prayoga Irawan2
, and Bagaskara Yogatama3,4, “The role of patient portals for cancer patients: a systematic review of benefits, challenges, and opportunities,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed February 21, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/11159.