title: Oncology nurses' experiences with prognosis-related communication with patients who have advanced cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oncology nurses have opportunities to engage in prognosis-related communication with patients who have advanced cancer but encounter barriers that impede the patient's understanding of prognosis, delay transitions to end-of-life care, and contribute to nonbeneficial treatments.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe nurses' experiences with prognosis-related communication with patients who have advanced cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thematic analysis of audio-recorded interviews with oncology nurses (n = 27). After data coding, themes were identified, and a thematic map was developed. Methods to ensure trustworthiness of the findings were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six themes were identified: being in the middle, assessing the situation, barriers to prognosis communication, nurse actions, benefits of prognosis understanding, and negative outcomes. Nurses managed barriers through facilitation, collaboration, or independent actions to help patients with prognosis understanding.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Shortcomings in prognosis-related communication with patients who have advanced cancer may contribute to negative outcomes for patients and nurses. Interventions that empower nurses to engage in prognosis communications are needed. Interprofessional communication skills education also may be beneficial.
authors: Indiana University School of Nursing, Indianapolis, IN; Charles Warren Fairbanks Center for Medical Ethics, Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, IN. Electronic address: smclenno@iupui.edu.
authors: Susan M
authors: SM
authors: McLennon
authors: Sue
authors: S
authors: Lasiter
authors: Wendy R
authors: WR
authors: Miller
authors: Kathryn
authors: K
authors: Amlin
authors: Amy R
authors: AR
authors: Chamness
authors: Paul R
authors: PR
authors: Helft
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing* / Q000473:pathology; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D011379:Prognosis; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013637:Tape Recording; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Advanced cancer; Communication; Oncology; Prognosis