Exploring Social Support in Ostomy Patients: A Scoping Review

Strong social support plays a crucial role in shaping the overall quality of life for ostomy patients. However, no comprehensive review has yet explored the role of social support for both ostomy patients and their informal caregivers. This study aims to map the existing literature on social support for ostomy patients and their caregivers. We conducted a scoping review following the guidelines provided in the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual for Evidence Synthesis. A three-step search strategy was implemented across several databases, including MEDLINE via PubMed, CINAHL and Scopus. The review included 23 articles. However, none of the included studies specifically addressed the role of social support for informal caregivers. The social networks of ostomy patients typically include family members, friends, support groups and other significant individuals. There is still little literature examining the effect of social support in adolescents with ostomies. Our findings revealed considerable heterogeneity in the tools used to measure social support. Most of the research focussed on the relationship between social support and quality of life, with few studies investigating its impact on patients' self-care, mental health or clinical outcomes. This review serves as a foundation for future studies on the subject. Further research is needed to explore social support from the perspectives of both ostomy patients and their informal caregivers.