Oncology physicians’ and nurses’ perspectives on barriers to advanced care planning for patients with cancer in Oman: A cross-sectional study

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Objective This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practice behaviors of oncology physicians and nurses regarding advanced care planning (ACP) for patients with cancer and to identify barriers to ACP in Oman. Methods We conducted a multi-center descriptive cross-sectional study in three tertiary cancer care referral hospitals in Oman. The sample comprised 296 oncology physicians (28.7%) and nurses (71.3%). Data were collected using the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice Behaviors for Advance Care Planning Scale. We used correlation and t-test statistics to analyze the data. Results Most participants had inadequate knowledge (91.9 %), practice behaviors (48.0 %), and attitudes toward ACP (46.0 %). Physicians had higher knowledge (9.07±2.09 vs. 7.87±2.91) and attitude (81.86±11.01 vs. 70.89±10.28) scores than nurses ( P < 0.01). There was no significant difference between physicians’ and nurses’ practice behaviors ( P = 0.077). The other barriers to implementing ACP were lack of communication skills in handling ACP (57.6 %), lack of organizational policies (45.1 %), patients (38.7 %), and their family’s lack of readiness and willingness to discuss ACP. Conclusion Nurses’ and physicians’ inadequate knowledge and practices are the main barriers impacting ACP for patients with cancer in Oman. Educational interventions and streamlined clinical policies are needed to improve ACP implementation in Oman.

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