Paediatric oncology ward nurses’ experiences of patients’ deaths in China: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND: Considering cancer death is second only to accidental death in the number of lives claimed each year,nurses in paediatric oncology wards often experience helplessness, sadness, frustration and such other adverse emotions when they witness children’s death due to cancer.However,there is a lack of qualitative studies on nurses who witness the death of children in paediatric oncology wards in China. METHOD: A qualitative study was conducted using a semi-structured interview guide with 22 paediatric oncology ward nurses. Interviews were recorded and simultaneously translated and transcribed. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. RESULTS: The analysis resulted in the identification of three main thematic categories: Different emotional expression, Different copingstrategies, A weak support system. Nursing managers should pay attention to problems faced by nurses in paediatric oncology wards, and take targeted measures in terms of continuing training courses, improving the psychological adaptability of oncology professional nurses, and providing them substantive support. CONCLUSION: Nurses in paediatric oncology wards have strong stress responses to facing the death of children. They reported experiencing complex psychological feelings and have different coping attitudes. Healthcare authorities should recognise and understand the needs of paediatric oncology ward nurses, who often witness the death of children. Appropriate and effective support measures should be planned and implemented for these nurses to maintain their mental health, thus enabling them to better serve patients.