Maryam Ehsani1, Fariba Taleghani2, Simin Hematti3, Parvaneh Abazari4. 1. Students Research Center, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Electronic address: maryam_ehsani@nm.mui.ac.ir. 2. Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Electronic address: taleghani@nm.mui.ac.ir. 3. Radiotherapy and Oncology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Electronic address: hematti@med.mui.ac.ir. 4. Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Electronic address: abazari@nm.mui.ac.ir.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The findings of numerous studies have illustrated that there is still a high proportion of cancer patients in Eastern and Middle-East countries including Iran, who are not properly informed of their disease due to the concealment atmosphere which still prevails. This descriptive qualitative study is aimed at exploring perceptions of patients, patients' family members, physicians and nurses regarding cancer disclosure challenges. METHODS: Thirty-five participants (15 patients, 6 family members, 9 physicians, and 5 nurses) were selected through purposive sampling. The data were collected through in-depth interviews; after which they were analyzed using a qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach. RESULTS: Data analysis revealed the following three categories: first, challenges related to healthcare system which deals with the deficiencies, strains and concerns in medical setting and healthcare team training; second, challenges related to family insistence on concealment which includes their fear of cancer disclosure and its negative impact on the patients; and third, challenges related to policy making which consists of deficiencies in legislative and supportive institutions for advocacy of truth telling. CONCLUSIONS: Successful move from concealment to effective disclosure attitude in cancer patients in Iran requires a national determination for resolving challenges in medical education as well as other different social, cultural and policy making dimensions.
PURPOSE: The findings of numerous studies have illustrated that there is still a high proportion of cancerpatients in Eastern and Middle-East countries including Iran, who are not properly informed of their disease due to the concealment atmosphere which still prevails. This descriptive qualitative study is aimed at exploring perceptions of patients, patients' family members, physicians and nurses regarding cancer disclosure challenges. METHODS: Thirty-five participants (15 patients, 6 family members, 9 physicians, and 5 nurses) were selected through purposive sampling. The data were collected through in-depth interviews; after which they were analyzed using a qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach. RESULTS: Data analysis revealed the following three categories: first, challenges related to healthcare system which deals with the deficiencies, strains and concerns in medical setting and healthcare team training; second, challenges related to family insistence on concealment which includes their fear of cancer disclosure and its negative impact on the patients; and third, challenges related to policy making which consists of deficiencies in legislative and supportive institutions for advocacy of truth telling. CONCLUSIONS: Successful move from concealment to effective disclosure attitude in cancerpatients in Iran requires a national determination for resolving challenges in medical education as well as other different social, cultural and policy making dimensions.
Authors: Ines Testoni; Michael Alexander Wieser; Dafni Kapelis; Sara Pompele; Marino Bonaventura; Robert Crupi Journal: Behav Sci (Basel) Date: 2020-05-11