Identification and management of mental health distress in Moroccan patients with cancer: Strategies adopted by oncology nurses and barriers to practice

Abstract Background Adressing mental distress among cancer patients presents a substantial challenge in the delivery of oncology care. Aims This present study aims to explore the nursing strategies for identifying and managing distress in cancer patients as well as the concomitant barriers that prevent them from achieving this task. Methods This qualitative study is based on a semi‐structured interview with 25 practicing nurses in oncology. Results Strategies used by nurses to identify mental distress in their patients include: receiving information, mobilizing interpersonal skills, and identifying causes of distress. When asked about the barriers that hinder the practice of identifying and responding to patients' distress, nurses reported facing several barriers that can be classified into three categories: health care system‐related barriers, patient‐related barriers, and nurse‐related barriers. Conclusion Oncology nurses should benefit from specific training on the systematic assessment of mental distress in cancer patients, in order to improve the overall management of oncology patients.