Nursing Dilemmas in Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: A Qualitative Study of a Tertiary Hospital in China

PURPOSE: This study investigated the experience of oncology nurses caring for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuritis patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Through phenomenological research method, 11 nurses in a tertiary hospital in Shanghai were interviewed using face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was conducted with the thematic analysis approach. RESULTS: This analysis revealed the experiences of oncology nurses in caring for patients with CIPN and identified three themes: 1) stress in the nursing of CIPN (inadequate knowledge of CIPN among oncology nurses, oncology nurses’ CIPN nursing skills need to be improved, negative emotions of oncology nurses at work); 2) environmental dilemmas in nursing of CIPN (lack of effective care norms, busy schedules, doctors pay little attention to CIPN); 3) oncology nurses’ desire to improve their knowledge of CIPN to meet care needs. CONCLUSION: Based on the perspective of oncology nurses, the care dilemma of CIPN is mainly influenced by individual and environmental factors. It is recommended to enhance the attention of oncology nurses to CIPN, set specific and feasible training courses, explore CIPN assessment tools that meet our clinical practice, and construct CIPN care programs to improve CIPN clinical care ability and reduce patient suffering.