Gynecologic Oncology Nurses' Experiences of Truth-Telling to Patients: A Phenomenological Study

Cancer nursing provides individuals with comprehensive support physically, emotionally, and ethically. Gynecologic oncology nursing is a complex field that is intertwined with the female body and privacy, requiring expertise and ethical sensitivity; therefore, telling patients the truth poses challenges ethically. However, studies focusing on nursing experiences in this field are limited, and the current knowledge base is insufficient.

This study was conducted to explore the experiences of gynecologic oncology nurses in truth-telling to patients.

A phenomenological qualitative design was used. This study was completed with 16 nurses working in the gynecologic oncology clinic of a training and research hospital who were selected through a purposive sampling method. Data were collected between March and April 2024 through face-to-face interviews using a "Descriptive Information Form" and a "Semi-Structured Interview Form." The data were analyzed using content analysis.

All of the nurses were female, with ages ranging from 24 to 49 years. Five main themes and 15 subthemes were identified. The main themes were defined as: "Situations in which truth-telling dilemmas are experienced," "Feelings associated with not telling the truth to the patient," "Perspectives on truth-telling," "Reasons for not telling the truth," and "Ways of avoiding truth-telling."

Gynecologic oncology nurses face ethical dilemmas in telling the truth and often provide limited information.

This study identifies the challenges nurses face and determines the need for communication and ethical support; thus, it enables nurses to establish accurate and effective communication strategies with patients.