Disclosing the diagnosis of terminal-stage cancer to patients: attitudes amongst UAE healthcare providers and universities’ students: A cross-sectional study

Disclosing a cancer diagnosis, particularly to individuals in family-centric cultures, is a complex process that directly impacts patient-centered care. This study explores the factors that influence attitudes toward truth disclosure of a terminal cancer diagnosis in the diverse population of the United Arab Emirates and compares these findings with practices in other nations and regions. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using an online self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised 4 sections: 9 questions collected demographic data, 6 questions assessed respondents' perceptions regarding the diagnosis of terminal-stage cancer, 7 questions evaluated their perceptions of its prognosis, and 7 questions focused on their views on truth disclosure in terminal-stage cancer. The questionnaire was developed based on existing literature and expert input. The study targeted healthcare providers, as well as all students (undergraduate or postgraduate), faculty members, and staff at universities in the United Arab Emirates. Multivariate logistic regression models were applied to determine the factors influencing participants' attitudes and perceptions. A total of 495 participants were recruited, with 73.7% being female and 26.3% being male. The majority (45.9%) were aged 18 to 24 years. The average attitude scores were 87.8% for the diagnosis of terminal-stage cancer, 85.8% for its prognosis, and 69.7% for truth disclosure to family. Logistic regression analysis showed that female participants had more positive attitudes toward diagnosis (odds ratio [OR] = 1.85; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1-3.1), while participants from the Middle East and North Africa had less positive attitudes toward both diagnosis (OR = 0.653; 95% CI: 0.48-0.87) and prognosis (OR = 0.652; 95% CI: 0.47-0.86). More positive attitudes toward truth disclosure were observed among participants from South Asia (OR = 1.52; 95% CI: 1.25-1.85) and Southeast Asia/Oceania (OR = 2.1; 95% CI: 1.63-2.70), as well as among nurses (OR = 5.15; 95% CI: 2.64-10.03) and Christian participants (OR = 4; 95% CI: 1.02-15.6), whereas single participants exhibited less positive attitudes (OR = 0.560; 95% CI: 0.38-0.82). These results highlight the complex interaction between cultural and demographic factors in determining perceptions of terminal-stage cancer. They emphasize the value of customized treatments and communication techniques to address different points of view, which will ultimately improve patient support and care in situations involving terminal illness.