Ethical Dilemmas Among Oncology Nurses in China: Cross-Sectional Study

Effective communication about cancer prognosis is imperative for enhancing the quality of end-of-life care and improving patient well-being. This practice is sensitive and is heavily influenced by cultural values, beliefs, and norms, which can lead to ethical dilemmas. Despite their significance, ethical challenges in nursing related to prognosis communication are understudied in China.

This study aimed to examine the ethical dilemmas relating to cancer prognosis communication and their associated factors.

A cross-sectional design was employed to survey 373 oncology nurses in mainland China. Data were collected on ethical dilemmas, attitudes, barriers, experiences with prognosis communication, sociodemographics, and practice-related information. Ordinary least squares regressions were used to identify factors contributing to ethical dilemmas.

Participants reported a moderate level of ethical dilemmas in prognostic communication (mean 13.5, SD 3.42; range 5-20). Significant predictors of these dilemmas included perceived barriers (P<.001), experiences with prognosis communication (P<.001), and years of work experience (P=.002). Nurses who perceived greater communication barriers, had more negative experiences with prognosis communication, and had less work experience were more likely to encounter ethical dilemmas in prognosis-related communication.

Chinese oncology nurses frequently encounter ethical dilemmas, as well as barriers, in communicating cancer prognoses. This study's findings emphasize the importance of culturally tailored communication training. Collaborative interprofessional training, particularly through physician-nurse partnerships, can perhaps enhance the proficiency of cancer prognosis-related communication.