Patient's disclosure preferences when hypothetically diagnosed with a terminal illness

Webinar on 6^th World Nursing Education & Nursing Practice

December 03, 2021 | Webinar

Sharifah Alsayed

King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Saudi Arabia

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Adv Practice Nurs

Abstract :

Background and Aims: Breaking bad news to patients is a challenge for physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals in various clinical settings. This study aims to explore patients’ preferences when being told about an emerging life-threatening terminal illness, such as cancer, and to determine specific factors that can affect individuals’ responses upon the disclosure of the disease and its prognosis. Methods: We employed a quantitative-cross sectional design using a convenient sample. A total number of 814 participants responded to an online survey invitation from four major cities in Saudi Arabia. Descriptive analysis was used to represent the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants, and the Chi-square (χ2) test was performed to analyze the differences in the disclosure preferences. Results: Most participants preferred to be directly informed about an emerging diagnosis (85.7%), wished to be with their family upon the disclosure of the disease (98.3%), and preferred to be actively involved in the decision-making and treatment plan. Female participants noted to be keener for a diagnosis disclosure than males χ2(2) = 18.7, p < .01, and the same observation seen in singles compared to married participants, χ2(4) = 10.91, p < .05. Conclusions: This study investigated public responses and preferences when being told about a terminal medical diagnosis. Healthcare providers are advised to plan ahead and make a strategy to report bad news to lessen the psychological burden on patients and their families.

Biography :

Sharifah Alsayed has completed her PhD 2015 at University of Sydney, Nursing School and postdoctoral studies from King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences in Medical education. She has published 12 papers in well reputed journals. She works as assistant professor at College of Nursing at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences from 2016 to present. She is involved in number of committees and chairperson of assessment.