The Role of Telenursing in Colorectal Cancer Management

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most frequently diagnosed cancer worldwide. After hospital discharge, insufficient knowledge in the home setting, difficulties in symptom management, and limited access to professional support increase emergency department visits and hospital readmission rates, thereby negatively affecting continuity of care. In this context, telenursing practices that support continuity of nursing care and promote a patient-centered approach have emerged as a complementary and sustainable alternative to traditional face-to-face care models. Telenursing is a comprehensive service model that enables the remote delivery of nursing care, patient education, counseling, and care coordination through information and communication technologies. Video conferencing, telephone counseling, web-based platforms, mobile health applications, and wearable sensors are among the core tools of this model. Current evidence-based studies indicate that telenursing interventions in CRC management facilitate early symptom identification, reduce hospital readmission rates, and improve cost-effectiveness. Telenavigation programs conducted by nurses have been shown to reduce anxiety, strengthen perceived self-efficacy, and encourage patients' active participation in the care process. Furthermore, they increase participation in telenursing screening programs and ensure the safe continuation of care during restrictive periods such as pandemics. By overcoming geographical and temporal barriers, these interventions contribute to improving access to healthcare services. The aim of this review is to evaluate telenursing models used in CRC management, their effects on patient outcomes, and their limitations in clinical practice in light of the current literature, and to provide evidence-based conclusions for clinical practice and health policy.