Cancer, Suffering, and the Role of Social Media: Insights from Iranian Nurses

Abstract

Background: Social media platforms are increasingly used in healthcare to provide psychosocial support to cancer patients. Despite global enthusiasm, concerns about misinformation and emotional vulnerability persist. In Iran, cultural and regulatory contexts add complexity to this dynamic, necessitating a localized understanding of healthcare providers’ perspectives. Aims: This study aims to explore Iranian oncology nurses’ perceptions of the benefits and risks associated with hospitalized cancer patients' use of social media, and to identify factors influencing these perceptions. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 131 oncology nurses from various hospitals in Iran, primarily in Tehran. Participants completed a structured questionnaire assessing demographics, life satisfaction, personal social media use, and perceptions of social media's impact on patient morale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and path analysis. Results: Overall, nurses held a positive view of social media’s role in enhancing patient morale, with a mean perception score of 7.1/10. Younger nurses and those with junior professional ranks exhibited more favorable attitudes. Personal social media usage positively correlated with optimistic perceptions, while life satisfaction showed a weak but significant positive association. Path analysis indicated that daily social media usage and younger age were the strongest predictors of positive perceptions. Some nurses, however, expressed concerns about misinformation and patient vulnerability. Conclusions: The findings highlight the generally favorable yet nuanced attitudes of Iranian oncology nurses toward social media use by cancer patients. Efforts to enhance digital literacy among healthcare providers and culturally sensitive strategies are recommended to maximize social media’s psychosocial benefits while mitigating associated risks.