Nurses' Perceptions of Communication in an Oncology Hospital Care: A Qualitative Study

Background/Objectives: In the context of evolving healthcare systems, effective communication represents a fundamental skill for ensuring quality care and addressing the psychosocial needs of oncology patients. In line with the new challenges of nursing education, this study explores communication between nurses and oncology patients, analyzing facilitating and hindering factors from the nurses' perspective within the hospital setting. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted using one-on-one semi-structured interviews. The interviews lasted from 15 to 30 min. The study population consisted of nurses working in the Medical Oncology units of the Regina Elena Institute in Rome (IRE). Data were analyzed using the Framework Analysis method by Ritchie and Spencer. Results: The sample consisted of 20 nurses with an average age of 33.5 years. Six main themes emerged: communication as the pillar of the care relationship between technical and human aspects, the need for a balance between closeness and personal protection, the influence of language and personalized approaches on communication, the stimulation of specific training needs, and barriers to nursing communication. Conclusions: Nurses recognize communication as an integral part of the care process and as a key competency for addressing the complex needs of oncology patients. However, inadequate training, time constraints, and staff shortages represent significant barriers, highlighting the need to invest in specific training programs and organizational strategies to improve the quality of care.