Oncology nurses’ views of oncologists’ prognosis-related communication (PRC)

Abstract

6602 Background: PRC is critical to care, treatment, and decision-making for advanced cancer patients (ACP). Deficits in oncologists’ (MDs) PRC have previously been identified. The role oncology nurses (RNs) play in PRC and their views and experiences of PRC among MDs with whom they work is unknown. Methods: Mail survey of a random sample of Oncology Nursing Society members with at least one year of experience working with cancer patients (pts). Questionnaire was sent to 1338 members of ONS. 394 completed surveys were returned. Overall RR was 29.4%. Significance, if noted, implies p<0.001. Results: Respondent demographics: median age 49.2, 96.6% female, 88.5% Caucasian, median years (yrs) as an RN 18, median yrs working with cancer patients 12, 69.1% had a BSN or ASN, 34.1% inpt RNs, 38.6% outpt RNs. 46% of RNs always/often cared for ACPs who did not appear to understand their prognosis, and 58.6% of RNs always/often encountered questions that suggested pts wanted more prognosis related information (PRI). 26.1% disagreed that the MDs they worked with were skilled at PRC. 72% agreed that MD discomfort with giving bad news is a major barrier to helping pts understand their prognosis. 54.9% of RNs always/often/sometimes felt pressured not to provide pts PRI because they did not want to contradict what MDs had said. 25.1% of RNs felt that MDs rarely or never kept them informed about their PRC with pts (frequency positively associated with yrs as an RN, yrs working with cancer pts, education level). RNs with at least an MSN were more likely to report that MDs more frequently kept them informed about their PRC. 30.2% of RNs felt that MDs rarely or never addressed end of life issues early in the course of their illness. 32.8% of RNs agreed that, when pts did not appear to understand their prognosis, it was because MDs had not discussed it fully (positively associated with working in an inpt setting). 42.6% of RNs were rarely or never present when PRI was discussed (negatively associated with working in an outpt setting and amount of formal education regarding PRC). Conclusions: Oncology RNs identify several deficits in MDs’ PRC with ACPs, including provision of information early in the course of illness, gaps in sharing content of PRC with RNs, and communicative aspects of team-based pt care. No significant financial relationships to disclose.