Special Topic on Nursing Ethics
Nurses′ experience and attitudes toward truthful communication with dying cancer patients about the prognosis: a qualitative study
Zhang Zhenling, Dong Fengqi, Wang Yanhui, Zheng Ruishuang
Published 2016-12-21
Cite as Chin J Prac Nurs, 2016,32(36): 2838-2841. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.1672-7088.2016.36.011
Abstract
ObjectiveTo elucidate the experience and attitude of bad news delivery from nurses to advanced cancer patients, in order to offer better nursing care to the dying cancer patients as well as to provide evidence for end-of-life cancer care.
MethodsA phenomenological research method of qualitative study was employed in this study. Fifteen nurses caring for dying cancer patients were in-depth interviewed with semi-structured interview guide. Colaizzi analytical method was adopted to collect and analyze the data, which was then organized into themes and subthemes.
ResultsThree themes were"conflict between will and behavior" "barriers of bad news delivery" "delivery with comprehensive assessment of dying cancer patients".
ConclusionsThough the oncology nurses thought the dying cancer patients should be told they were dying, few nurses did that. Communication and hope maintenance related to end-of-life cancer care training should be offered to oncology nurses, as well bad news delivery to ensure cancer patients′ safety.
Key words:
Nurses; Neoplasms; Terminally ill; Hospice care; Bad news delivery
Contributor Information
Zhang Zhenling
Dong Fengqi
Department of Hepatobiliary Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, National Cancer Research Center, Tianjin 300060, China
Wang Yanhui
Zheng Ruishuang
