Background CRC patients lack the self-care skills to handle complex situations after discharge from the hospital. They are surrounded by physical and psychological problems and experience social isolation and discrimination to a certain degree. They need consistent, coordinated, continuous and professional support from healthcare providers. China’s National Health Committee issued further improvements to the nursing service action plan (2023-2025), which explains the connotation of the continuity of nursing services. Nurse-led follow-up services can be cost-effective in reducing the unplanned readmission rate of discharged patients. However, there is a lack of evidence-based review of follow-up models for CRC patients who are under treatment. The effectiveness of current follow-up care practice for CRC patients remains unknown. Therefore, the systematic review aims to generate the current evidence-based practice of follow-up care models for CRC patients under treatment to improve self-care ability and quality of life (QoL).

Methods In order to find highly relevant articles, seven electronic databases were searched, starting from January 2014 to March 2024. The reference list of the identified articles was manually searched to identify additional relevant literature. Google Scholar databases were searched for grey literature. The search was conducted using keywords, medical subject headings (MeSHs), and appropriate Boolean operators.

Results The search strategy resulted in a total of 2008 citations, removing duplicates. 1964 citations were removed after the first-level screening. 44 full-text articles were subjected to second-level screening. 15 articles have been reviewed.

Conclusions The effectiveness of CoC in improving self-care ability and QoL can be measured in multidimensional ways. Health education leaflets, stoma nursing manuals, publicity boards, multimedia teaching, stoma association, and other forms of publicity and education. Lectures are organised weekly during hospitalisation, and monthly telephone return visits are held after the patient is discharged. The effectiveness of CoC in duration, frequency, content, participant qualification, patient compliance, and measurements. The treatment and disease-related follow-up style change to comprehensive support, including psychological and mental well-being. It is recommended that follow-up care bundles be used to achieve a better outcome.