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Honduran Oncology Nurses Share Inequities in Cancer Treatment and Their Advocacy to Mitigate Challenges
Karla Hoare Bodden1, Nelly Pérez1, Astrid Chacón2
1Hospital Escuela, Tegucigalpa, Francisco Morazán, Honduras.
Objectives:
Honduras has a severe nursing shortage. Inequities in cancer care are visible when compared to regional resources. Oncology nursing recruitment is challenging, since care is complex and cure rates are lower than for other specialties. We sought to explore Honduran oncology nurse perspectives on cancer-related inequities and advocacy to mitigate challenges.
Methods:
This is an exploratory study on the experiences and practices of oncology nurses in Honduras regarding inequities in cancer care. A Colombian medical anthropologist interviewed two oncology head nurses (Tegucigalpa, public hospital) and a pediatric oncology nurse (San Pedro Sula, public hospital). The interviewer and a US pediatric oncology nurse/medical anthropologist analyzed the data. Our findings align with the State of the World's Nursing report's (2025) four focus areas. We use Bronfenbrenner's ecological framework to guide the reporting of our findings.
Results:
The nurses' perspectives included themes of nursing jobs/employment, education/training, service delivery (sub-themes: patient solidarity, satellite clinics, adolescent care, and nurse self-care) and leadership (subthemes: patient advocacy, hospital management negotiations, and positive care environment). For children, a national pediatric oncology foundation ensures free treatment, but adults experience financial toxicity and all families need supportive care requiring oncology nurse advocacy.
Conclusions:
Honduran oncology nurses are committed to addressing cancer care inequities. They feel strong patient bonds and actively search for resources throughout patient treatment. Despite nursing shortages, they create a positive environment for care and strive for best nursing practices.
Implications For Nursing Practice:
Oncology nursing workforce recruitment is critical given the national nursing shortage and impending numbers of workforce retirement. Oncology nurse engagement in national cancer control planning and hospital resource allocation could identify inequities in care and oncology nursing workforce strengthening for Ministry of Health amelioration (eg, policy and finance).
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