Date of Conferral

7-22-2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Nursing

Advisor

Leslie Hussey

Abstract

Oncology nurses coordinate care, ensure the safe administration of treatments, manage symptoms, and support those newly diagnosed with cancer. Traditionally, oncology care included in-person visits, but the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of telehealth, transforming how oncology care is delivered. The purposes of this study, guided by Watson’ theory of human caring, were to determine (a) if there is a difference in oncology RNs’ self-assessments of applying caring behaviors during in-person visits compared to oncology RNs’ self-assessments of applying caring behaviors of telehealth visits with newly diagnosed cancer patients, and (b) if there is a difference in self-assessment of caring behaviors among oncology RNs with more than 2 years of telehealth experience compared to oncology RNs with less than 2 years of telehealth experience. A total of 66 oncology nurses completed the Caring Behaviors Assessment Tool Nursing Version-Short Form with 54 selecting in-person visits and 12 selecting telehealth. Data were analyzed using independent t and the Mann-Whitney U tests. Results revealed no significant differences in oncology nurses’ perceived caring behaviors between telehealth and face-to-face interactions or based on years of telehealth experience. Future research should include larger and more diverse samples of oncology nurses. Recognizing caring behaviors can be effectively conveyed through telehealth, nurses can be supported to enhance their virtual care delivery, which can lead to more culturally responsive and patient-centered care environments, ultimately improving patient satisfaction and outcomes which affect positive social change.

Download

Included in

Nursing Commons

Share

 
COinS