Article

Reports of Sharing and Withholding Cancer-Related Information by Patients With Gynecologic Cancer and Their Supporters

Maria G. Checton

Maria K. Venetis

Danielle Catona

Allyson C. Bontempo

Kathryn Greene

Alexandre B. de Meritens

Katie A. Devine

gynecologic cancer, supporters, patient–provider communication, disclosure
ONF 2019, 46(6), 676-685. DOI: 10.1188/19.ONF.676-685

Purpose: To examine patients’ with gynecologic cancer and supporters’ reports of sharing and withholding cancer-related information during oncology visits, with a focus on navigating communication encounters more effectively.

Participants & Setting: 18 women who were recently diagnosed with gynecologic cancer and their supporters (N = 16) were recruited from the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey in New Brunswick.

Methodologic Approach: Data were collected via audio-recorded semistructured interviews and analyzed to determine the types of information that patients and supporters share or withhold during oncology visits.

Findings: Thematic analyses revealed two major themes: “everything is easy to share” and “nothing is withheld except . . . ” Patients and supporters indicated that topics such as treatment side effects are easiest to share, whereas sharing private information is difficult when the other is present.

Implications for Nursing: Probing patients and supporters separately on topics that they may not feel comfortable discussing can help nurses to identify unaddressed concerns and better assist patients and their supporters during oncology visits.

Members Only
Not a current ONS member or journal subscriber?

Become a Member

Explore the benefits of membership.
Join ONS or Renew Membership

Purchase This Article

Receive a PDF to download and print.