Facilitators and barriers to health information-seeking behavior in cancer patients: A meta-synthesis

Objective: This study aimed to synthesize existing qualitative evidence to explore the complex facilitators of and barriers to health information-seeking behavior (HISB) among cancer patients. Methods: Guided by the PRISMA framework, a systematic search was conducted across multiple English and Chinese databases, including Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang. Study quality was appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools. Evidence from 12 eligible qualitative studies involving 230 patients was integrated and synthesized using the JBI meta-aggregation approach. Results: The synthesis revealed a multifaceted interplay of factors influencing HISB. Patients' behaviors are primarily driven by an internal psychological process, navigating a dynamic tension between acquiring knowledge to regain a sense of control and avoiding potentially distressing information to preserve hope. Furthermore, these behaviors are significantly shaped by external contexts, particularly the dynamics of patient-provider communication, family roles, and cultural beliefs, giving rise to a complementary "online preparatory search and offline verification" strategy. Ultimately, the ability to translate information-seeking intentions into effective action is closely tied to individual competencies, including health literacy, digital literacy, and accessible socioeconomic resources. Conclusions: This review synthesizes the facilitators of and barriers to HISB, revealing a complex system shaped by internal states, external contexts, and personal capacities. Effective information support must therefore extend beyond mere information provision to incorporate dynamic, multi-level, and personalized strategies that are responsive to patients' psychological needs, cultural backgrounds, and resource realities. The findings provide a consolidated evidence base and a holistic understanding for developing patient-centered, contextually adapted, and digitally informed health information support practices.