Nurses and patients with cancer

Abstract

This study looks at nurses' feelings and behaviour in situations of disclosure and non-disclosure about diagnosis of cancer. Research in other countries indicates that the determinants of disclosure are usually doctors and patients relatives who often decide 'not to tell'. Unfortunately nurses are largely left out of this decision despite their major role in patient care. Often nurses cope with patients who suspect their diagnosis by using avoidance techniques. Many nurses who avoid patients feel that they appear incompetent and avoidance ruins nurse-patient relationships. Data concerning Maltese nurses' feelings and behaviour in this 'disclosure situation' was obtained by means of a self-administered questionnaire. The respondents, 20 nurses working on two surgical wards also have to comply with doctors' and relatives' decision for non-disclosure. Maltese nurses also encounter many questioning patients and use avoidance to maintain non-disclosure. However nurses did not seem to object to non-disclosure or its effects on nurse-patient relationships, this may be due to their apparent poor communication and coping skills. Suggestions are made for improvements in the present situation and for further research to be carried out.