Ethical Experiences of Pediatric Oncologists in Dealing with Parents of Children with Cancer: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Pediatric cancer poses significant challenges for physicians, giving rise to numerous ethical dilemmas during diagnosis and treatment of affected children. This study explored the ethical experiences of pediatric oncologists across various phases of patient care and their interaction with patients’ families. Materials and Methods: This qualitative study was performed by purposive sampling method, involving pediatric oncologists from different provinces of Iran. Research data were gathered through semi-structured interviews, continuing until saturation of codes was achieved among new participants. Research data were extracted using MAXQDA 10 software and categorized by qualitative content analysis with the agreement of the research team. Results: Through 11 interviews conducted with pediatric oncologists representing 10 provinces in Iran, 158 initial codes were extracted. Following code analysis and classification, three main themes were identified, encompassing a total had 10 sub-themes. The main themes included parental reactions, therapeutic challenges, family communication strategies, and the physicians' inner experiences. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed a broad spectrum of ethical and clinical experiences of pediatric oncologists in Iran, with influences from geographical, religious, and demographic factors. The study underscores the need for tailored educational programs, protocols, and guidelines to improve the ethical performance knowledge of these physicians in alignment with the cultural, geographical, and religious conditions of Iran.

Keywords

• pediatric oncology
• ethical experiences
• qualitative study
• cancer