Introduction
Nowadays, patients have a strong desire to actively participate in their treatment process. Hence, approaches should be applied to enhance patients’ involvement and motivation in decisions related to their treatment [1]. Healthcare providers must recognize individual characteristics to deliver comprehensive and patient-centered care [2]. Existing care models are often ineffective, as only 1 in 52 Americans benefits from commonly prescribed medications, necessitating a shift in medical and nursing care strategies [3]. Nursing philosophy emphasizes the provision of culturally sensitive care, recognizing that individual and ethnic diversity are essential for effective care delivery [4]. At the same time, rising treatment costs have prompted a reevaluation of medical care approaches, highlighting the inefficiencies of uniform treatment strategies that fail to address individual needs [5]. Personalized approaches, tailored to disease severity and patient-specific traits, can simultaneously reduce healthcare costs and enhance outcomes [6].
Each person possesses unique molecular, physiological, environmental, and behavioral characteristics that require tailored interventions [7]. Evidence suggests that standard protocols frequently neglect patient-specific differences, leading to inconsistent clinical outcomes [8]. Based on Taylor’s principles, nursing care was directly linked to impersonal aspects of each patient [9]. However, the focus on providing patient-centered care has significantly increased. Although its historical roots can be traced back to the early days of nursing and healthcare, patient-centered care gained widespread recognition and formal status as a concept in the late 20th and early 21st centuries [10]. Personalized nursing tailors care to each patient’s unique needs, values, and circumstances. Advancing nursing science necessitates the acquisition of novel skills and expertise by nurses to optimize patient care delivery [11]. While gaining these new skills adds to their responsibilities, it also brings honor and credit to the nursing profession [12]. Nurses play an independent and vital role in the treatment field, encompassing diverse opinions, values, attitudes, and actions to enhance individuals’ health [13]. In this context, critical factors such as the type and size of the hospital, the number of nurses in each department, the workload and roles of professionals, staff relationships, levels of education, professional experience, communication skills, and values among nurses are crucial. These factors significantly influence the quality of healthcare delivery, shaping the effectiveness and patient-centeredness of nursing practices [14]. Personalized nursing is intrinsically aligned with the overarching frameworks of precision medicine and holistic care, both of which prioritize tailored, patient-centered approaches to optimize health outcomes and enhance patient satisfaction [15, 16]. By incorporating personalized interventions, nursing care extends beyond traditional disease-oriented frameworks, integrating psychological, social, and cultural factors into treatment strategies. This alignment not only reflects contemporary healthcare paradigms but also addresses the evolving expectations of patients and healthcare providers for more inclusive and effective care delivery systems [17].
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While a framework for personalized nursing care has been presented in studies, the evaluation of its effectiveness remains an ongoing challenge, indicating a gap in the field. Although personalized care services are recommended, the absence of a standardized evaluation framework, as highlighted by Lennaerts et al., )2017), poses a significant hurdle [18]. Current studies on personalized nursing care reveal significant limitations, highlighting the necessity of this systematic review [19]. Second, inconsistencies in methodologies, such as varied metrics for assessing outcomes and a lack of standardized tools, make it challenging to draw robust comparisons across studies [16]. Furthermore, while some studies explore the psychosocial and clinical benefits of personalized nursing care, they frequently overlook the integration of these findings into broader healthcare systems [20]. These gaps indicate a pressing need for a comprehensive synthesis of evidence to address these shortcomings and inform future practice and policy. A standardized evaluation framework for personalized nursing care should include clear and measurable metrics for assessing effectiveness, patient satisfaction, and health outcomes. These metrics could encompass both qualitative aspects, such as patient-reported experiences and the quality of therapeutic relationships, as well as quantitative measures, such as clinical outcomes and patient progress [21]. Moreover, the framework should provide standardized tools and methodologies for data collection and analysis, ensuring comparability and reliability of results across studies. This would allow for a more robust assessment of personalized nursing interventions and facilitate evidence-based improvements. Key indicators could include general health status, symptom reduction, quality of life improvements, and the efficient use of healthcare resources [15]. This systematic review aims to critically evaluate the efficacy of personalized nursing care interventions by addressing the following objectives: [1] assessing their impact on patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes [2], exploring their role in mitigating complications and emotional symptoms, and [3] identifying challenges in applying these interventions in diverse settings.
Method
Study design
The current study is designed as a systematic review, specifically focusing on recent studies in personalized nursing at both clinical and community levels. It delves into various clinical and social aspects concerning both patients and nurses. The research adheres to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines(Supplementary Table 3) [22, 23]. The study protocol has been registered in PROSPERO under the code REDACTED (ID number: CRD42022367814).
Search strategy
The present study utilized search engines and databases, including PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, ProQuest, and Google Scholar. The search for articles was conducted in both Persian and English languages, spanning from 2012 to 2022. Moreover, articles were searched using specific Medical Subject Headings (MESH terms) (Table 1). Meanwhile, the AND and OR operators were used to search the databases and search engines. Two authors independently determined keywords and search terms for the databases and search engines. Additionally, to minimize missing data, the snowball method was employed [24].
Table 1
Search strategies for systematic review
1- “Personalized” [MeSH] OR “Individualized” [MeSH] OR “Person-centered” [MeSH] OR “personal” [MeSH] OR “Personalized Medicine” [MeSH] OR “Individualized Medicine” [MeSH] OR “P Health” [MeSH] OR “Precision medicine” [MeSH] OR “Patient-Focused” [MeSH] OR “Patient-Centered” [MeSH] |
2- “Nursing” [MeSH] OR “Nursing personnel” [MeSH] OR “Nursing staff” [MeSH] OR “Nurse” [MeSH] OR “Nursing care” [MeSH] OR “nursing intervention” [MeSH] OR “Nursing service” [MeSH] |
3- #1 AND #2 |
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Inclusion criteria
According to the PICO framework [25], four aspects were examined: patients receiving personalized care or nurses with experience in providing personalized nursing care (P), various types of interventions and services related to personalized nursing care (I), any intervention, care, or treatment modality different from personalized nursing care (C), participant’s satisfaction and outcomes following personalized nursing care (O). For the purposes of this review, personalized nursing care was operationally defined as any nursing intervention designed to address the specific needs, preferences, and values of individual patients, as identified through comprehensive assessments and tailored to each patient’s unique circumstances.
Type of studies
All studies that explored personalized nursing in various ways were included in this study. Review articles, letters, editorials, comments, and case reports were not taken into consideration. If there were studies in a language other than English or Persian, the translator was enlisted to translate the articles. Restricting the inclusion criteria to articles published in English and Persian might have led to the exclusion of relevant studies in other languages, potentially limiting the diversity of perspectives and findings represented. This language bias could result in the omission of culturally specific insights or regionally conducted research on personalized nursing care. Additionally, searches were conducted in both the reference lists of the included articles and the excluded reviews to enhance the comprehensiveness of the research process.
The decision not to narrow the focus to a specific context of personalized nursing care was based on two main factors. First, limiting the review to specific contexts could have restricted its comprehensiveness due to the limited number of studies available in those contexts. Second, the systematic review aimed to comprehensively evaluate personalized nursing care as a concept, highlighting its effectiveness and quality in various healthcare situations. By maintaining a broader scope, the review sought to provide a comprehensive assessment of personalized nursing care’s impact on patient outcomes and healthcare quality across diverse settings. This approach ensured a more holistic understanding of its relevance in nursing practice.
Type of interventions
The decision to include studies on a wide range of interventions related to personalized nursing care, both in clinical and community settings, was guided by the aim of comprehensively evaluating the concept of personalized nursing care. Interventions were included if they directly addressed the unique needs, preferences, and values of individual patients, as defined in this study. These encompassed interventions ranging from patient-centered communication strategies to tailored treatment plans and community-based care approaches.
Studies that did not explicitly focus on personalized nursing care or failed to operationalize it within their methodology were excluded. This decision ensured that only interventions meeting the study’s operational definition of personalized care were considered, maintaining consistency in the evaluation process. Furthermore, the exclusion of routine or generalized nursing interventions was intended to differentiate personalized nursing care from standard care practices, allowing for a focused analysis of its unique impact and effectiveness.
Comparison type
Any intervention or care that differs from personalized care, such as routine and classic types of care.
Outcome
Improved level of patients and nurses’ satisfaction by taking advantage of personalized approaches. High-quality nursing care, in this context, signifies the delivery of clinically competent interventions, clear and empathetic communication, and compassionate support. As well, any outcome from the included studies related to or associated with personalized nursing care was considered.
Exclusion criteria
Studies that did not examine any aspect of personalized nursing care or interventions were excluded from the review. Additionally, review studies, editorials, commentaries, proceedings, dissertations, and texts that were not published as articles were not considered. Furthermore, posters presented in seminars, health statements, organizational projects, class presentations, health messages, and similar data that were not published as formal studies, were not included in this review.
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Study selection
The titles and abstracts of all reviewed studies underwent both electronic and manual search processes, adhering to the inclusion criteria. Two researchers independently reviewed the included articles, and in cases of disagreement, a third author resolved the discrepancies through discussion and consensus. If consensus could not be reached, the decision was finalized based on the majority opinion or after consulting an external expert in the field, ensuring that the selection process remained impartial and transparent.
Figure 1: PRISMA Flowchart (Page et al., 2021) illustrates the study selection process, detailing the identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion phases. It ensures transparency and methodological rigor in the systematic review process.
Fig. 1
PRISMA flowchart [23]
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Quality assessment
The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist (JBI) or Kmet standard criteria were utilized for the two qualitative studies, while STROBE was applied for observational studies, and CONSORT for RCTs. The JBI Appraisal Checklist for qualitative studies served as one of the main tools for assessing the quality of the included studies. This checklist comprehensively assesses various aspects, including the research methodology and philosophical perspective, research objectives, methods of data collection and analysis, interpretation of results, the researcher’s cultural or theoretical background, and the researcher’s influence on the study. The appraisal criteria were rated as ‘yes,’ ‘no,’ ‘unclear,’ or ‘not applicable.’ Two authors independently assessed the studies using this checklist. Importantly, no studies were excluded from our systematic review based on low-quality assessment scores. In addition, the Kmet standard criteria were utilized as a rigorous assessment tool to evaluate the methodological quality of the included qualitative studies, as described in Kmet et al. (2004). This checklist facilitated a systematic evaluation of study design, participant selection, data collection methods, statistical analysis, and result presentation. An overview of STROBE statement scores, CONSORT checklist, and Kmet standard criteria is provided in Supplementary Tables 4, 5, and 6.
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Data extraction
Two authors independently conducted searches for peer-reviewed scientific studies to enhance precision and minimize missing data. Any discrepancies were resolved by the third author. The collected information included the author; year; location; study type; participants; sample size; intervention; assessment tool; key points/ main findings summarized in Table 2. Subsequently, the studies were summarized by two researchers. These summaries were then reviewed by the third author. Following the review, study summaries were revised and finalized through consensus during group discussions.
Table 2
Overview of included studies
Author, Year | Country, Setting | Study Type | Participants | Sample | Intervention | Assessment Tool | Key points/ Main findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(Liu et al., 2022) [38] | China, Community | RCT | Elderly patients with osteoporosis | T:96; F:58, M:38 | Individualized nursing based on Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment. The goal is to provide holistic and personalized care that addresses physical, psychological, social, and functional aspects of their health. | Quality of Life Scale | Higher satisfaction and greater quality of life in the PC group (P < 0.05) |
(Iwasa et al., 2022) [17] | Japan, Community | Descriptive | Patients with Parkinson disease | T:20; F:10, M:10 | Home Health Nursing Care. It is a valuable option for individuals who require medical attention or assistance with activities of daily living but do not need to be hospitalized. | The Home Health Nurse Questionnaire and nursing records | Longer PC dedicated for older participants (P = 0.079), discovering three main sub-categories for PC as daily living assistance, medical care assistance and record keeping |
(Hatice et al., 2021) [46] | Turkey, Hospital and college | Descriptive | Nursing students | T:74; F:62, M:12 | Development and implementation of individualized care plans for patients based on their specific clinical status, personal values, beliefs, preferences, and their desired level of involvement in healthcare decision-making. | The Empathic Tendencies Scale, Personal Information Form and The Individualized Care Scale | Relationship between PC and empathy (P = 0.000), high awareness of PC among nursing students, higher awareness of PC among female students, lack of budget and professionals to provide PC, moderate association between empathic tendency and perception of PC (P < 0.05) |
(Wang et al., 2021) [29] | China, Hospital | RCT | Nurses and patients with liver cancer | T:136, F:109, M: 17 | Establishing a dedicated nursing team as part of personalized nursing means having a group of healthcare professionals who are responsible for the care of a specific group of patients, often for an extended period. | Visual analogue scale, Self-made nursing satisfaction questionnaire, Patients’ quality of life (QoL) and Clinical indicators such as ALT, AST, TBIL and ALB | Significant improvement in OG and CG in terms of social, cognitive, emotional, physical and role function after PC (P < 0.05), lower severe response in the OG (P < 0.05), higher improvement of liver function in OG after PC (P < 0.05), reduced level of anxiety in both groups (P < 0.05), more significant satisfaction among nurses in OG (P < 0.05) |
(Bartkeviciute et al., 2021) [30] | Lithuania, Community | Cross-sectional | Older diabetes patients | T:145; F:86, M:59 | nursing interventions encompass a patient-centered approach that includes conducting comprehensive assessments of medical history and health needs, providing education on diabetes self-management, offering guidance on medication management, dietary control, and foot care, monitoring vital signs and blood glucose levels, and promoting regular physical activity | Individualized Care Scale (nurse and patient version) | The older the patients, the more perceived support of personal life (P = 0.054), the importance of the methods for diminishing the level of glucose in determining the PC for diabetic patients, the important role of education and nutrition in the perception of patients regarding PC, effective role of BMI of < 30 in receiving lower support (P = 0.032), no difference between PC provided by physicians and nurses |
(Chen et al., 2021) [31] | China, Community | RCT | Patients with gestational diabetes mellitus | T:139 | Internet combined with exercise-based individualized nursing intervention. Nursing interventions involve personalized exercise plans, guidance, monitoring, and support provided to individuals through online resources, platforms, or telehealth technologies | self-rating depression scale, self-rating anxiety scale, blood pressure, glucose and lipid detection | Greater satisfaction with nursing in the PC group (P < 0.05), lower scores of anxieties and depression in the PC group (P < 0.05), lower rate of unpleasant pregnancy outcomes (P < 0.05), lower rates of blood pressure and blood glucose indicators in PC participants (P < 0.05), |
(Trent et al., 2021) [70] | USA, Community | RCT | Female patients with pelvic inflammatory disease | T:55 | Technology Enhanced Community Health Precision Nursing (TECH-PN) program. It involves the use of electronic health records, telehealth, data analytics, and other technology-driven approaches to better tailor nursing care to the unique needs of patients in the community, ultimately aiming to enhance overall health outcomes and the efficiency of healthcare services. | Biological, Behavioral, and Cost Measures | Efficacy of TECH-PN for providing PC among young adults with pelvic inflammatory disease |
(Bukecık & Terzioglu, 2020) [26] | Turkey, Community | Descriptive | Patients and nurses | T:181 | Development and implementation of individualized care plans for patients based on their specific clinical status, personal values, beliefs, preferences, and their desired level of involvement in healthcare decision-making. | Individualized Care Scales (Patient, Nurse), Newcastle Satisfaction with Nursing Scale, Minnesota Job Satisfaction Scale | Importance of PC for nurses (r = 0.736; P = 0.001), higher rate among patients than nurses concerning PC perception (r = 0.828; P = 0.001), positive association between job satisfaction and awareness of PC (P = 0.001), negative and moderate relationship between satisfaction with nursing care and PC (P = 0.001) |
(Li & Li, 2020) [32] | China, Outpatient ward | RCT | Patients with tumors and chemotherapy | T:188; F:84, M: 104 | Spending 20 min a day in direct communication with patients allows healthcare providers to establish a strong rapport. | Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, The Activity of Daily Living and Self-Rating Depression Scale | Higher scores of ADL in the PC group (P < 0.05), more satisfaction and compliance in the PC group (P < 0.05), no difference in survival rate in both groups (P = 0.853), lower scores for anxiety and depression in the PC group (P < 0.05) |
(Bartosiewicz et al., 2020) [42] | Poland, Hospital | Cross-sectional | Nurses | T:756 | Not applicable | Standardized scale of life satisfaction and a scale to measure burnout | Low level of readiness for new roles among nurses, the effect of life satisfaction and occupational burnout for writing prescriptions or referrals for diagnostic tests, the association between increasing age and decreased level of life satisfaction (P = 0.0172), the higher the educational level, the higher life satisfaction, more psychological exhaustion among younger nurses (P = 0.0019) |
(Tonkin et al., 2020) [34] | UK, Hospital | Qualitative | Nurse leaders | T:29 | Interactive residential 3-day workshop. These workshops are designed to be hands-on and immersive, allowing attendees to actively engage with the content, instructors, and fellow participants. | Interview | Lack of resources and awareness related to the integration of genomics into nursing, the importance of implementing patient-based and family-centered activities, the significance of evidence-based practice and public involvement, the importance of determining genomic care for nurses as their new duty |
(Hamiduzzaman et al., 2020) [21] | Australia, Hospital and Community | Qualitative | Nurses and care workers | T:104; F:87, M:17 | Not Applicable | Interview | Lack of enough knowledge among nurses, inappropriate PC provided by nurses, ineffective family participation in PC |
(C. Du et al., 2019) [36] | China, Surgery Ward | RCT | Patients in the general surgery ward | T:118; F:55, M:63 | Humanized nursing environment, Intraoperative nursing care, post-operative nursing care, psychological nursing care. Humanized nursing environment include improved patient trust and cooperation, leading to enhanced care quality and patient satisfaction. | Visual Analogue Scale, self-rated anxiety scale and self-rated depression scale | Greater pain relief as well as higher level of perception and quality of life in the intervention group (P < 0.05), fewer complications and lower hospitalization costs, and shorter periods of stays in the intervention group (P < 0.05) |
(F. Du et al., 2019) [33] | China, Outpatient clinics | RCT | Pregnant women with aerobic vaginitis | T: 60 | Health guidance education, psychological intervention, Personal hygiene education, Medication guidance. Incorporating these components into healthcare can enhance health awareness, well-being, and overall health outcomes, promoting a holistic approach to healthcare that addresses physical, mental, and lifestyle aspects. | Hamilton Depression Scale and Hamilton Anxiety Scale | More significant improvement in the level of anxiety and depression in the PC group (P < 0.05), higher satisfaction with nursing in the PC group (P < 0.05), less adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes in the PC group (P < 0.05) |
(Kousoulou et al., 2019) [71] | Cyprus, Outpatient clinics | Descriptive | Patients diagnosed with cancer | T:150; F:64, M:86 | Not Applicable | Individualized Care Scale-patient version and Quality of Oncology Nursing Care Scale | Positive correlation between scales of ICS (The Support of Individuality and The Individuality in Care) (p < 0.01), the relationship between a sense of belonging and being respected (P < 0.01), the significant association between being respected and the importance of spirituality and religiosity (P < 0.001), |
(Alıcı & Koç, 2020) [39] | Turkey, ICU | Cross-sectional | Intensive care inpatients | T:317; F:180, M: 137 | Not Applicable | SF-36 Quality of Life scale and Individualized Care Scale | The positive association between PC and satisfaction with life (p < 0.01), pain (p < 0.01), vitality (p < 0.01), mental and social functioning (p < 0.01), and awareness of general health (p < 0.01) and mental role (p < 0.05) |
(Wright et al., 2018) [48] | Australia, Hospital | Cross-sectional | Registered nurses and midwives | T:253 | level of genomic literacy to provide optimal care to patients, their families, and the community | Genomic Nursing Concept Inventory | Limited knowledge regarding genomics among participants, a significant difference between genomic literacy and educational level (P = 0.036) |
(Rose, 2018) [47] | Germany, Outpatient clinics | Cross-sectional | Patients undergoing radiation therapy | T:250, F:122, M:127 | Nursing interventions focus on individualized care, empowering patients in decision-making, addressing personal life needs, being sensitive to gender-specific preferences, and adapting care to the unique needs of patients receiving chemotherapy. | Individualized Care Scale Patient | Higher effectiveness of PC among males, higher awareness of PC for patients with neck and face problems compared to those with breast radiation therapy, the longer the period of radiation therapy, the greater awareness of PC (P = 0.018), the effectiveness of having a partner in receiving more PC (P = 0.041) |
(Köberich et al., 2016) [44] | Germany, Hospital | Cross-sectional | Hospitalized patients | T:606; F:244, M:360 | Nursing interventions include ongoing assessment of self-rated health and length of ward stay, adapting care plans based on educational levels, actively involving patients in shared decision-making, and ensuring clear and accessible patient education. | Smoliner scale, Instrument to Assess Nursing Care Delivery Systems (IzEP) and Individualized Care Scale | Association between longer hospitalization with higher awareness of PC (p = 0.002), the relationship between decision-making and higher perception of PC (p < 0.001), a significant correlation between the better condition of health (p = 0.027) and higher educational level (p = 0.042) with awareness of PC |
(Suhonen et al., 2016) [45] | Cyprus, Greece, Finland and Sweden, Outpatient Clinic | Cross-sectional | Patients with cancer | T:595; F:278, M:317 | healthcare professionals, including nurses, need to be well-prepared to deliver individualized care in culturally diverse settings by adapting their approaches, ensuring effective communication, and respecting the cultural context of the patient. | Individualized Care Scale | The difference in the scores of sub-scales between the countries (P = 0.117), the difference in the perception of PC in different countries (P < 0.001) |
(Eylem Pasli Gurdogan, 2015) [41] | Turkey, Surgical wards | Cross-sectional | Patients at internal and surgical wards | T: 425; F:190, M:235 | Nursing interventions should focus on respecting patient individualism and uniqueness, regularly assessing patient satisfaction, using assessment tools to measure perception and satisfaction, and continually striving to provide specific and individualized care to enhance patient satisfaction. | Individualized Care Scale and Newcastle Satisfaction with Nursing Scale | Significant relationship between awareness of PC and satisfaction with nursing care (P < 0.001), high satisfaction with personalized nursing care (P < 0.001) |
(Tekin & Findik, 2015) [40] | Turkey, Orthopedic Surgery Ward | cross-sectional | Patients hospitalized at the orthopedic surgery ward | T:156; F:90, M:66 | Instead of providing standardized or one-size-fits-all care, nurses aim to customize their care plans and interventions to cater to the individual requirements of each patient undergoing orthopaedic surgery. | Individualized Care Scale and Newcastle Satisfaction with Nursing Scale | Correlation of nursing satisfaction and PC (P < 0.001) |
(Calzone et al., 2013) [37] | USA, Hospital | Cross-sectional | Registered nurses | T:481; F:461, M:20 | The potential of genomics to improve personalized healthcare, where the genetic and genomic information of an individual is used to guide their medical care. | Not mentioned | Association between being educated regarding genomics and considering genomics in treatment decisions (P < 0.001), the higher the educational level of nurses, the more the possibility of using genetic information (P < 0.001), presence of disadvantages such as insurance discrimination and anxiety of patients in this regard, the importance of genomics for 67.5% of participants |
(Roldán-Merino et al., 2012) [72] | Spain, Psychiatric ward | RCT | Patients diagnosed with schizophrenia | T:94; F:65, M:29 | Periodic home visits, individualized healthcare plan was made based upon the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association, Nursing Outcome Classification and Nursing Intervention Classification taxonomies, subsequent evaluation and regular check-ups | The Lawton and Brody Index, Family Problems Questionnaire and The Katz Index | Increased level of independence in the PC group (P = 0.99), reduced level of family burden (P = 0.001), no difference in the terms of age and gender (P > 0.05) |
Data synthesis
In this study, a qualitative narrative synthesis approach was employed to systematically review and integrate data from a diverse range of sources, focusing on the effectiveness of personalized nursing care. The synthesis process involved a meticulous analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data extracted from these studies, including interview transcripts, observations, qualitative survey responses, prevalence rates, and other quantitative measures. For the qualitative data, the extracted information was subjected to a comprehensive qualitative narrative synthesis, where emergent themes and patterns were identified and categorized. The synthesis was guided by the outcomes that surfaced across the studies, allowing for the grouping of results according to the themes that naturally emerged from the qualitative data. In addition to the qualitative synthesis, the quantitative data were also analyzed, including prevalence rates and other relevant quantitative measures. The synthesis process involved a detailed analysis that considered the contextual factors influencing personalized nursing care. Findings from both qualitative and quantitative data were summarized with respect to both the settings (primary care and hospital care) and the participants (patients and nurses). This combined analysis allowed for a more comprehensive understanding of the effectiveness of personalized nursing care, considering both qualitative insights and quantitative data.
Findings
Overview of included studies and data selection
The electronic search yielded 1284 titles. After the assessment of titles and abstracts, duplicate records were also excluded. Relative full texts were appraised, and 24 studies were selected for inclusion and data extraction. The process of study selection is shown in Fig. 1. There were 10 cross-sectional, 8 Randomized controlled trials, 4 descriptive and 2 qualitative studies. The research emerged from 13 countries including China (n = 6), Turkey (n = 5), Germany (n = 3), USA (n = 2), Australia (n = 2), Cyprus (n = 2), Poland (n = 1), UK (n = 1), Japan (n = 1), Spain (n = 1), Finland (n = 1), Sweden (n = 1) and Lithuania (n = 1). 5428 participants were included in the study. Mean age of study participants was 58.23 ± 5.15. The number of female and male participants was 3298 and 2139, respectively. Individuals suffering from osteoporosis, elders with Parkinson disease, cancer patients, diabetics, females with pelvic inflammatory disease, pregnant women with aerobic vaginitis, nursing personnel and nurse leaders and even patients with chronic mental disorders such as schizophrenia were the patricians in this study. The study period spanned from 2012 to 2022.
Personalized nursing care interventions
The effectiveness of personalized nursing care interventions exhibits considerable variability across regions and healthcare systems, influenced by factors such as healthcare infrastructure, cultural attitudes, and resource availability. For instance, in high-resource settings like North America and Europe, interventions such as tailored medication plans and psychosocial support have consistently shown improvements in patient satisfaction, clinical outcomes, and overall health status [21]. However, in some studies, the degree of improvement varied, potentially due to differences in how interventions were implemented or measured [26]. In low-resource regions, such as parts of Asia and Africa, challenges such as limited resources, insufficient training, and economic constraints affect the implementation and outcomes of personalized care. While culturally sensitive care plans and community-based support showed promise, the results were not uniformly significant, reflecting the complex interplay of contextual factors and resource limitations [27, 28].
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Outcomes of personalized nursing care
In our study, personalized nursing care demonstrated significant improvements in patient satisfaction, indicating a higher level of contentment and confidence in the healthcare process [29]. Moreover, personalized interventions led to enhanced clinical outcomes, including better symptom management [30], reduced hospital readmissions, and improved overall health status [31, 32]. Psychosocial benefits were also observed, such as decreased anxiety levels, increased emotional well-being, and a greater sense of empowerment among patients [29]. Additionally, personalized nursing care fostered stronger patient-nurse relationships, promoting trust and open communication [33]. Effectiveness was gauged through a spectrum of measures, including patient-reported outcomes, clinical assessments, and qualitative feedback [34]. Chen et al., (2021) reported that the observation group (undergoing nursing intervention) exhibited a lower rate of adverse pregnancy outcomes compared to the control group (7.59% vs. 20.00%) [35]. These findings collectively emphasize the efficacy of personalized nursing care in improving both clinical and psychosocial outcomes (Table 2).
Emotional symptoms
The results demonstrated a significant reduction in symptoms of negative emotions, such as anxiety and depression, among who received personalized nursing care (P < 0.05). These findings are well-supported patients by multiple studies [29, 31‐33, 36, 37]. However, certain inconsistencies across studies are noted, potentially due to variations in study designs, patient populations, and measurement tools for emotional symptoms.
Satisfaction
Another crucial aspect of personalized nursing relates to satisfaction, both for the patient and the nurse. Studies have demonstrated that patients who received personalized care reported higher levels of satisfaction (P < 0.05) [31, 32, 38‐41]. However, it is worth noting that one study reported a weak association between personalized care and satisfaction [26]. Meanwhile, a higher perception of personalized care was associated with higher patient satisfaction [26, 41]. Three studies assessed satisfaction among nurses [26, 29, 42]. One study revealed a substantial difference in satisfaction levels between the intervention group (98.31%) and the control group (71.19%), highlighting the effectiveness of personalized nursing interventions in enhancing patient satisfaction [36].
Perception
The review underlined the significant role of personalized nursing in shaping patients’ perceptions of care and its relationship with positive outcomes. Patients frequently reported feeling a stronger sense of efficacy and empowerment in their care when personalized nursing practices were employed. This approach was associated with patients perceiving higher levels of attention directed toward their individual needs and preferences, contributing to a sense of being valued and cared for. Studies have shown that personalized nursing enhances the therapeutic relationship, fosters trust, and improves communication between patients and nurses, further strengthening patient satisfaction and engagement in their care [26, 30, 36, 39, 43‐46].
Reduction of complication
Personalized care interventions have proven effective in mitigating complications, such as alleviating disease symptoms and reducing destructive behaviors. This approach tailors care to individual patient needs, promoting better adherence to treatment plans and addressing specific triggers for adverse outcomes. Despite these positive results, the degree of effectiveness varied across studies. Factors contributing to this variability include differences in the scope and intensity of the personalized interventions, the characteristics and severity of the patient conditions, and the healthcare settings in which the interventions were implemented. Additionally, disparities in study designs, sample sizes, and evaluation methods may have influenced the reported outcomes [45]. These findings highlight the need for further research to identify the most impactful components of personalized care and to standardize intervention practices to optimize patient outcomes.
Genomic knowledge
Another crucial outcome is the deepening of genomic knowledge, allowing for tailored treatments based on individual genetic profiles, thereby optimizing therapeutic approaches. The results also showed that participants have low genomic knowledge(a mean score of 13.3 (SD 4.55; score range 3–29), equating to a 42.9% correct response rate), which is a part of personalized nursing care [46]. In one study 71% considered genetics to be very important to nursing practice; however, 81% rated their understanding of the genetics of common diseases as poor or fair [37, 47]. The integration of genomic knowledge into personalized nursing care is often constrained by the availability of resources and technological infrastructure. In healthcare settings with limited access to genomic testing, advanced diagnostic tools, or sufficient training for healthcare professionals, personalized genomic interventions may not be fully realized. For example, in low-resource environments, genomic testing may not be readily available, and healthcare workers may lack the expertise to interpret complex genetic data, leading to a gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application [48].
Contentment
Personalized nursing care plays a pivotal role in enhancing patient contentment by prioritizing individualized attention and tailored care plans. This approach not only addresses the unique needs and preferences of each patient but also fosters a sense of recognition and value, which is integral to a positive care experience. By strengthening the therapeutic relationship and building trust, personalized nursing care ensures alignment with patient expectations, ultimately contributing to greater satisfaction and improved perceptions of care quality [30].
Importance of education
The review highlights the critical role of education and literacy in the success of personalized nursing care. Five studies emphasized that participants, whether nurses or patients, with higher levels of educational attainment exhibited greater success in engaging with and benefiting from personalized care interventions. A higher educational background equips individuals with better comprehension, communication, and decision-making skills, facilitating more effective implementation and reception of tailored care plans. This underscores the need to incorporate education-focused strategies into nursing care practices to optimize outcomes and bridge gaps in patient and provider readiness [30, 37, 42, 43, 47](Table 3).
Table 3
Summary of key studies on personalized nursing care
Study | Category | Findings | Impact on Personalized Care |
|---|---|---|---|
C. Du et al. (2019) | Patient Outcomes | Significant reduction in complications (14% decrease) and improved clinical outcomes. | Highlighted positive impact of personalized care on patient well-being. |
Paola et al. (2019) | Patient Perceptions | Patient education, cultural background, and gender influence perceptions, affecting engagement. | Emphasized the role of patient perceptions in the success of personalized care. |
Rose (2016) | Nurse Perceptions | Moderate understanding of personalized care among nurses. | Suggested need for better nurse education on personalized care practices. |
Hatice et al. (2021) | Nurse Perceptions (Students) | Nursing students tend to have a more favorable view of personalized care. | Showed generational differences in nurse perceptions. |
Bartosiewicz et al. (2020) | Nurse Burnout | High nurse workload and burnout hinder personalized care delivery. | Identified burnout as a major barrier to effective personalized care. |
Leigh et al. (2015) | Nurse Burnout | Supported findings of burnout due to workload and high demands. | Reinforced the need to address burnout for improving personalized care. |
Han (2016) | Genomic Data Integration | Precision nursing, incorporating genomic data, improves patient interactions. | Advocated for integrating genomic data for personalized interventions. |
Li & Li (2020) | Patient Care Compliance | Personalized care improves patient compliance and reduces negative emotions. | Highlighted the emotional impact of personalized care on patient behavior. |
Liu et al. (2022) | Patient Outcomes | Personalized nursing care improves quality of life for patients. | Confirmed personalized care’s effectiveness in improving patient quality of life. |
Grua et al. (2022) | AI-driven self-adaptation in e-Health apps | Enhances user engagement and personalization | Improves user experience by tailoring interventions |
Fatima et al. (2024) | Technology in Personalized Care | AI-driven predictive models enable early disease detection. | Supports early interventions and improved patient outcomes. |
Discussion
This systematic review underlines the importance of personalized nursing care in enhancing patient outcomes across various health conditions. Personalized interventions, such as patient-centered care plans in primary care and tailored treatment approaches in hospital settings, have shown positive effects on patient well-being and satisfaction. Patient perceptions of personalized care play a crucial role in its effectiveness. Factors such as education, cultural background, and gender influence how care is perceived, which in turn affects patient engagement and satisfaction [49]. Studies suggest that nurses’ perceptions of personalized care vary, with some reporting a moderate understanding [50], while nursing students tend to have a more favorable view [45]. This disparity highlights the need for enhanced nurse education on personalized care practices, ensuring better alignment between nurse perceptions and the goals of personalized interventions.
One significant finding highlighted in the research focused on burnout and the high workload experienced by nurses [42],a phenomenon supported by other studies [51]. Additionally, the constant involvement in various procedures and frequent interactions with people are commonly cited as major contributors to burnout among nurses [52]. COVID-19 has also exposed nurses to higher level of burnout [53, 54]. It appears that individuals experiencing occupational burnout tend to distance themselves from their responsibilities [55]. Consequently, they may prefer to focus solely on essential tasks, which can have a detrimental impact on the quality of care provided and hinder their professional development [56]. Therefore, it is crucial to recognize burnout among nurses as a significant factor that can influence the provision of personalized care.
Nurses, as frontline healthcare providers, must recognize and address the unique characteristics of each patient to deliver effective care [45]. While standardized treatment guidelines are common, they may not always meet individual needs [57]. This approach also considers cultural beliefs, traditions, and individual circumstances [8]. Precision nursing, which incorporates precision medicine principles, enhances patient interactions by tailoring care to genetic and health profiles [58]. Additionally, biomarkers, such as cytokines, help assess treatment effectiveness and guide preventative care [59], offering valuable insights, especially for underserved populations with limited healthcare access [60].
The importance of care cannot be overstated, as it plays a crucial role in enhancing patient compliance and reducing negative emotions [32]. Typically, nurses follow established protocols when delivering care, which are often based on doctors’ orders [61]. Personalized care should encompass a comprehensive range of nursing interventions, guided by an intelligent and well-planned approach [62]. Regrettably, there is a scarcity of original studies in the field of nursing and personalized medicine. One significant concern is that nurses, who play a leading role within the healthcare system, are often not fully integrated into the processes related to personalized medicine [63]. It’s worth highlighting that nurses are esteemed members of the medical team, and their involvement in various aspects of patient care is both indispensable and undeniable [64].
In resource-limited settings, personalized nursing care faces challenges like lack of access to advanced diagnostic tools and genetic testing. This limits the ability to tailor interventions effectively [65]. Additionally, high nurse workload and burnout hinder personalized care delivery. Cultural barriers and low health literacy also affect patient engagement. Addressing these resource constraints is vital for making personalized care effective in such settings [42].
Findings highlight the need for guidelines that integrate patient diversity, including genomic data [59], into nursing practice. Standardized metrics for patient satisfaction and outcomes should be established to evaluate effectiveness [36]. Guidelines must also emphasize nurse training in genomics and cultural competency [58] to improve personalized care delivery across healthcare systems.
Future research should focus on the integration of technology in personalized nursing care, particularly in precision medicine. Technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and data analytics can enhance decision-making by analyzing patient-specific data, including genomic information, clinical history, and lifestyle factors [66]. The use of wearable health devices and telemedicine could allow for real-time monitoring of patients, facilitating more tailored interventions. E-health platforms could be used to provide patients with personalized care plans, thereby improving adherence and outcomes [67]. Research on the effectiveness of these technologies in personalized care delivery will be crucial for their widespread adoption. Moreover, the development of patient-centered health IT systems can ensure that patients’ preferences, values, and cultural backgrounds are consistently incorporated into care plans. These systems should provide nurses and healthcare providers with tools that improve interdisciplinary communication, promote patient education, and streamline care delivery.
The integration of genomic data in personalized care raises critical ethical concerns, particularly regarding patient privacy and data security. Future research should address how genetic information is stored, shared, and protected to ensure compliance with health privacy regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Given the sensitive nature of genomic data, patients should be informed of the potential risks, and their informed consent should be obtained before utilizing such data for personalized interventions [37]. Ethical dilemmas also arise regarding how genomic data may be used to influence care decisions, especially in cases of genetic discrimination or eugenics. Researchers should explore frameworks that ensure equitable access to genomic advancements and prevent biases based on genetic predispositions [68]. A patient-centered approach to privacy that allows patients to control access to their genomic data is vital in safeguarding patient trust in personalized nursing care [69].
In resource-limited settings, implementing genomic data in personalized care can be challenging. Practical approaches, such as leveraging mobile health technologies and telemedicine, could enable the collection and sharing of genomic information even in areas with limited access to advanced healthcare. Collaboration with local healthcare facilities could also help incorporate genomic knowledge into patient care, ensuring its accessibility while respecting privacy and informed consent. These strategies can help overcome barriers in resource-poor environments and make personalized care more inclusive [37].
Limitations
Despite our best efforts to conduct a comprehensive review, certain limitations of our study must be acknowledged. First, our search was restricted to articles in Persian and English, excluding literature in other languages and grey literature. This may have resulted in the omission of relevant studies, potentially introducing a language bias. Furthermore, limited access to the full text of some eligible articles constrained our ability to fully include or evaluate these studies, impacting the breadth of our findings.
The heterogeneity of the included studies posed another significant challenge. Due to variations in methodologies, outcomes, and study designs across qualitative and quantitative research, it was not feasible to perform a meta-analysis. Instead, we used multiple quality assessment tools tailored to the diverse study types to ensure a robust evaluation process.
While these limitations may have affected the scope and generalizability of our findings, we took deliberate steps to mitigate them. We employed a meticulous search strategy, including snowball searching, to identify additional sources and reduce data gaps. Despite these efforts, challenges such as small sample sizes and potential cultural differences in the included studies could still influence the interpretation of results.
Conclusion
This review underlines the critical importance of personalized nursing in enhancing the quality of patient care through individualized approaches. By tailoring care based on the unique characteristics of each patient, personalized nursing can significantly improve outcomes such as patient satisfaction, reduced complications, and enhanced genomic literacy among nurses. However, challenges like limited genomic knowledge and the absence of clear legislative frameworks demand urgent attention. To address these issues, nursing education programs should integrate genomics into their curricula, and healthcare policymakers must establish comprehensive guidelines and structural responsibilities for personalized care. Future studies should focus on validating and expanding the positive outcomes identified in this review, such as improved patient satisfaction and reduced complications. Additionally, researchers should strive to develop standardized frameworks and evidence-based practices, enabling more consistent application of personalized nursing. Collaborative efforts between researchers, clinicians, and policymakers are essential to overcoming current barriers and advancing the implementation of personalized nursing across diverse healthcare settings.
Acknowledgements
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Behbahan University of Medical Sciences for providing the resources and support necessary to conduct this study. The encouragement and assistance from the faculty and staff greatly contributed to the success of our research. We also thank the participants involved in the original studies for their willingness to share their experiences, which made this systematic review possible.
Declarations
Ethics approval and consent to participate
This study was reviewed and approved by the Research Committee of Behbahan University of Medical Sciences with the ethical approval code IR.BHN.REC.1402.003. All procedures performed in the studies included in this systematic review adhered to the ethical standards set by the relevant institutional and national research committees. In this systematic review, all human participants involved in the original studies provided informed consent. The authors of the reviewed studies confirmed that participants were informed about the purpose, procedures, and potential risks and benefits of the research, and voluntarily agreed to participate. Clinical trial number: not applicable.
Consent for publication
Not applicable. This study does not include any individual personal data or images that would require consent for publication.
Competing interests
The authors declare no competing interests.
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