The Perceptions of Patients, Families, Doctors, and Nurses Regarding Malignant Bone Tumor Disclosure in China: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Introduction: Withholding the malignant bone tumors disclosure from patients is common in China. The purpose of the study was to explore the perceptions of patients, families, doctors, and nurses regarding the disclosure of malignant bone tumors in China. Method: Semistructured interviews were conducted with 25 cases, consisting of 69 participants (14 patients, 25 family members, 17 doctors, and 13 nurses), and the transcripts were analysed using Colaizzi’s (1978) descriptive phenomenological analysis process. Results: Five themes were identified: (1) doctors preferred to inform the family members first, (2) family members’ decisions depended on different situations, (3) the patients agreed that disclosure should be different for each person/personally, (4) care from nurses reduced the overreaction of patients, and (5) key points improve the informing quality. Discussion: Family participatory cancer disclosure and multidisciplinary teams could improve the quality of cancer disclosure. Culturally congruent health care and culturally sensitive interventions in cancer disclosure are suggested.