Providing care to cancer patients parenting minor children: A qualitative study on healthcare professionals' communication practice.

Abstract

To explore healthcare professionals' (HCPs) experiences when communicating about child- and family-related aspects in cancer care and their attitudes about the importance of including these aspects in cancer care. We conduced semi-structured interviews with HCPs working in oncology. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using Kuckartz's method for qualitative content analysis. N = 20 HCPs working in oncology, either inpatient or outpatient setting in the area of Hamburg, Germany participated. N = 7 were nurses, n = 6 psychologists, n = 5 physicians and n = 2 social workers. Results showed that HCPs' communication about child- and family-related aspects for cancer patients parenting minor children varies widely, influenced by factors such as diagnosis, structural challenges, individual characteristics, or profession. Additionally, their attitudes about how relevant it is to integrate child- and family-related aspects in routine cancer care varies from low relevance (i.e. lower priority, beyond professional role) to high relevance (i.e. palliative cases, children have a right to know). HCPs' communication practice and views on the importance of addressing child- and family-related aspects in cancer care vary widely and are shaped by various influences. Results emphasize the need for training and resources to enhance HCPs communication competencies to provide family-oriented care proactively.