Time toxicity in cancer care: a systematic review of definitions and measurement methods.

In 30 seconds

This systematic review examined the definitions and measurement methods of time toxicity in cancer care, involving 56 studies primarily from high-income countries. The majority of studies (80.4%) were observational, with time toxicity most often defined by direct healthcare time measures (55.4%). The review highlights a lack of patient-reported definitions.

Key findings

• 80.4% of the included studies were observational, with most conducted in high-income countries.
• 55.4% of studies defined time toxicity using direct healthcare time measures.
• 35.7% of studies utilized time away from healthcare measures.
• No studies incorporated patient-reported definitions of time toxicity.

Why it matters

Understanding time toxicity is crucial for improving patient care in oncology, as it reflects the burden of time spent in healthcare settings. A standardized approach to measuring this concept could enhance patient-centered care and inform healthcare policies.