Involvement of nurses in the process of providing information to the siblings of pediatric patients with cancer

Abstract

 This study aimed to elucidate the involvement of nurses in providing information to the siblings of pediatric patients with cancer and explore suggestions for their role in this process. We conducted semi-structured interviews with six pediatric nurses and analyzed the resulting data using the modified grounded theory approach. The results revealed that the nurses were mindful of patient siblings, constantly cared about their demeanor, and made the decision to provide information when they deemed it necessary. When providing information, the nurses were determined to meet the siblings’ need to know, realizing that it is important to provide them with information as soon as possible. This study suggests that it is important that nurse roles include addressing concerns of the siblings of pediatric cancer patients and acting as a coordinator to satisfy their “desire to know”.