Perception of Iranian nurses regarding ethics-based palliative care in cancer patients

Palliative care is still a topic under discussion in the Iranian healthcare system, and cancer patients require palliative care. Moreover, nursing ethics has an important role in caring for these patients. The purpose of this study was to identify the perception of Iranian nurses regarding ethics-based palliative care in cancer patients. This study was done with a qualitative approach and by using content analysis. In this study, 14 nurses were selected through purposive sampling, and a face-to-face semi structured interview was conducted with each of them. After data collection, all interviews were transcribed and reviewed, and categories were extracted. At first, similarities in meaning were reviewed and based on centralization arranged in sub-categories. Then, relevant sub-categories were arranged in a category after a second review. In general, original categories in the ethics-based palliative care in cancer patients encompass the following: “human dignity”, “professional truthfulness” and “altruism”. Human dignity has 3 sub-categories consisting of ‘respecting patients’, ‘paying attention to patient values’ and ‘empathizing’. Professional truthfulness has 2 sub-categories consisting of ‘truthful speech’ and ‘truthful action’. Lastly, altruism has 3 sub-categories consisting of ‘complete and multi-dimensional patient acceptance’, ‘supportive behavior’ and ‘responsibility’. Content analysis of ethics-based palliative care in cancer patients revealed the required conditions for this type of care based on the perception of nurses. The results of this study suggest that in nurses’ point of view, human dignity, professional truthfulness and altruism all have important roles in ethics-based palliative care in cancer. The findings of this study will give nurses a greater knowledge about ethics-based palliative care in cancer patients, leading to a better understanding of the ethical needs of these patients, and may ultimately help improve the nursing practice.