CN52 - Nurses’ communication barriers about fertility preservation: An integrative review

Background

Many cancer treatments compromise reproductive function and cause infertility in adults. In young cancer patients, fertility reduction is related to a deterioration in quality of life and well-being, and to psychological problems. Although international Guidelines suggest that health care professionals should inform patients about the potential infertility of cancer treatments, there are many difficulties and barriers for nurses due to limited time, lack information and communication, and insufficient knowledge on fertility preservation (FP).

Methods

An integrative review was conducted in four databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science) to identify the major limitations to FP communication reported by nurses. The inclusion criteria were: 1) nurses working in cancer setting; 2) English language; 3) publication between January 2013, and September 2023, and 4) papers detailing the educational interventions strategies that nurses use in fertility prevention. Two independent reviewers assessed each paper for methodological validity using the Prisma statement. A total of 470 articles was retrieved and identified. After removing 29 duplicates, 396 out of 441 studies were further excluded through screening by title (n=371) or by abstract (n=70). The remaining 45 articles were evaluated on full text and 20 articles were included in the final review.

Results

Findings reported in the 20 studies were aggregated, according to similarity, in four major limitations for FP communication: 1) Inadequate knowledge: nurses recognize the need for a specific training in FP to ensure appropriate recommendations to patients according to the current scientific knowledge; 2) Complexity of communication: lack of empathic relationship, cultural differences, and young age of patients; 3) Educational skills: the role of nurse in patient education about FP is not clearly defined; 4) Urgency of cancer treatment: prognosis and severity of neoplasm prioritarize treatment, makig difficult the discussion on FP.

Conclusions

New scientific knowledge and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team will help nurses in patient support and education. Addressing the barriers, will allow nurses to implement supportive care based on patient centrality.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

The authors.

Funding

Has not received any funding.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.