Communication in Paediatric Oncology: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Perspectives of Nurses and Parents of Children With Cancer

TL;DR

This study explores how nurses and parents of children with cancer view communication, aiming to improve care through better understanding.

Contribution

The study identifies key communication strategies and challenges in paediatric oncology from the perspectives of nurses and parents.

Findings

Supportive communication includes informational, psychological support, and special communication skills.

Managing spiritual crises involves identifying and addressing the spiritual needs of patients and families.

Empowering parents and healthcare teams requires teamwork, education, and specialized training.

Abstract

The present study explored the perspective of nurses and parents of children with cancer regarding communication.

This was a qualitative study that applied a descriptive‐exploratory approach.

Participants included six nurses, eight mothers and four fathers of children with cancer, who were selected based on a purposive sampling method. Data were collected using in‐depth interviews with participants. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using the inductive content analysis method.

Data analysis revealed three categories and eight subcategories, including supportive communication (subcategories: informational support, psychological support and special communication skills); managing spiritual crisis (subcategories: identification of spiritual/religious beliefs and needs of children with cancer and their parents, and managing the spiritual crisis of children with cancer and their parents); and empowering parents and healthcare teams (subcategories: the necessity of teamwork, holding educational workshops and training paediatric oncology nurse specialists). All healthcare providers (including nurses, oncologists, paediatricians, etc.) can consider the results of this study to improve their communications with other healthcare team members, children with cancer, and their families to provide holistic care and increase the quality of care they provide.

No patient or public contribution.

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