title: Truth-telling and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: Iranian nurses' experiences.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a potential cure for a range of life-threatening diseases, but is also associated with a high mortality rate. Nurses encounter a variety of situations wherein they are faced with discussing bad news with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to explore the experiences and strategies used by Iranian nurses related to truth-telling and communicating bad news to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative approach using content analysis of interview data was conducted.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 18 nurses from the main hematopoietic stem cell transplantation center in Iran participated in semi-structured interviews.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Institutional Review Board of the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences and the Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center affiliated with the Tehran University of Medical Sciences approved the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the first main category, not talking about the disease and potential negative outcomes, the nurses described the strategies of not naming the disease, talking about the truth in indirect ways and telling gradually. In the second main category, not disclosing the sad truth, the nurses described the strategies of protecting patients from upsetting information, secrecy, denying the truth and minimizing the importance of the problem. The nurses used these strategies to minimize psychological harm, avoid patient demoralization, and improve the patient's likelihood of a fast and full recovery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The priority for Iranian hematopoietic stem cell transplantation nurses is to first do no harm and to help patients maintain hope. This reflects the Iranian healthcare environment wherein communicating the truth to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients is commonly considered inappropriate and avoided.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Iranian nurses require education and support to engage in therapeutic, culturally appropriate communication that emphasizes effective techniques for telling the truth and breaking bad news, thereby potentially improving patient outcomes and protecting patient rights.
authors.affiliation: Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Valizadeh
authors.affiliation: Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
authors.forename: Vahid
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Zamanzadeh
authors.affiliation: Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran sayadi117@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sayadi
authors.affiliation: Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
authors.forename: Fariba
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Taleghani
authors.affiliation: The University of British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: A Fuchsia
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.affiliation: Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jeddian
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054521:Cultural Competency; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000451:nursing*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007492:Iran; D008875:Middle Aged; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D014342:Truth Disclosure / Q000941:ethics*
keywords: Breaking bad news; Iran; disclosure; hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; truth-telling