CN1 - Nurses’ emotional affect when caring for cancer patients undergoing deep sedation: Findings from a meta-synthesis

Background

Caring for oncology patients under deep sedation or at the end of life presents nurses on the front lines with emotionally challenging and difficult experiences. Many critical issues arise in these circumstances that complicate care from communication, relational, ethical, and personal perspectives. Consequently, nurses often undergo significant emotional distress while providing care. A systematic review of the qualitative literature could help us understand the emotions and difficulties that these nurses encounter in caring for oncology patients.

Methods

We conducted a qualitative systematic review (with meta-synthesis) in four databases: Pubmed; Cinahl; Scopus, and Web of Science, following registration with PROSPERO (CRD42024529909). The PRISMA method and enhancing transparency in reporting the synthesis of qualitative research (ENTREQ) statement were adopted to report the data. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) was used to guarantee a quality appraisal. Of 459 articles considered, 9 were selected according to the inclusion/exclusion criteria. The thematic analysis approach was used to summarize the emerging data in six steps: (1) reading the results multiple times; (2) generating initial codes; (3) identifying themes; (4) revising emerging themes; (5) defining final themes, and (6) writing the results.

Results

Five main themes emerged from the data analysis: (1) Emotional consequences of nursing; (2) Experiences, perceptions, and personal factors that influence nursing; (3) Communication with patients and families; (4) Coping strategies adopted, and (5) Ethical dilemmas in nursing.

Conclusions

The results suggest that caring for terminal cancer patients, particularly during and after the use of deep sedation, poses emotional challenges for nurses. Feelings of sadness, guilt, discomfort, and helplessness are among the emotions they experience that can potentially affect the nurse-patient relationship and the nurse’s emotional well-being. Further, this emotional distress can affect the nursing process overall significantly.

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.