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Woung-Ru Tang

Woung-Ru Tang

JobTitle： Deputy Department Head & Professor

CurrentJob： Deputy Department Head & Professor

E-mail： wtang@mail.cgu.edu.tw

Phone： 03-211-8800 #5448

Education： PhD, University of Kansas

Expertise： Communication skill training on cancer truth telling Management of cancer-related fatigue Hospice care

Research Focus

Cancer truth-telling, Cancer-related fatigue, Hospice care 

Teaching

  • Nursing MSN： Nursing Theory, Hospice Care, Medical-Surgical Nursing, Nursing Research
  • Nursing PhD： Research Ethic, Leadership and Policy
  • Medicine： Shared Decision Making, Cancer Truth-telling

Awards & Honors

  • The Interactive Picture Book System for Communicating Pediatric Cancer Diagnoses won the Gold Medal at the 2024 Taiwan Innotech Expo
  • Distinguished Alumni, Chung-Jen Junior College of Nursing, Health Sciences and Management, Taiwan (2011& 2003)
  • 2nd Place Award for Student Research Forum, Medical Center, University of Kansas, USA (2001)
  • Melba Carter Award for Best Dissertation, School of Nursing, University of Kansas, USA (2001)
  • Leora Stroup Master’s Award for Top Master Student, Fort Hays State University, USA (1993)

Grants

  • Implementing AI in Healthcare Research Curriculum Reform Using Action Research(2025-2026)
  • Development and Testing of an AI Classification Model for Cancer Truth-telling: Taking Nurse Practitioners as Examples (Ministry of Science and Technology, 2023- 2026)
  • Development and Test of Hospice Team-based Learning Core Courses: Transnational Research of Taiwan and Australia (Chang Gung Hospital, 2021-2023)
  • Developing and Testing a Human-Centered Virtual Reality Module: Taking Cancer Truthtelling Communication Skills Training as an Example (Ministry of Science and Technology, 2021-2023)
  • The Project of Improvement of Early Hospice Palliative Care of Elderly Patients with Noncancer Disease (Chang Gung Hospital, 2020- 2021)
  • Development and Testing of Truth-telling Communication Skill Training for Pediatric Cancer (Ministry of Science and Technology, 2019-2021)
  • Implementing Hospice Care Curriculum Reform using Action Research (Ministry of Education, 2019-2020)
  • Holistic Care Quality Improvement Plan: Taking the Transitional Care of the Elderly Patients with Disability for Example (Chang Gung Hospital, 2018-2020)
  • Improving the Response Rate on Graduate Survey for Nursing Graduates and Their Employers (Chang Gung University, 2018-2019)
  • Development and Testing of Cancer Truth-telling Educational Model of Medical and Nursing Collaboration (Ministry of Science and Technology, 2017-2020)
  •  Acupressure intervention to Increase Physical Functioning in Chinese Immigrant Breast Cancer Survivors (National Cancer Institute R21 fund, 2016-2018)
  • Construction and Test of Localized Truth-telling Educational Model for Advanced Practice Nurses (National Science Council, 2014- 2017)
  • Cancer Truth-Telling: Train the Trainer Project (Ministry of Health and Welfare, 2011-2016)
  • An Exploratory Study on the Effectiveness of Chinese and Western Medicine Combined Treatment for the Efficacy, Performance Status, Symptom Distress, and Quality of Life of Patients with Small Cell (Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, 2014-2015)
  • To Establish and Test the Local Education Model for the Truth-telling of Cancer in Taiwan (National Science Council,2013-2014)
  • Cancer Truth-telling: Difference between patients’ preferences and physicians’ actual doing (National Science Council,2011-2013)
  • Long-term Benefit of Chinese and Western Therapies for the Prognosis of Lung Cancer Patients: Matched Case-Control Study (Ministry of Health and Welfare, 2011-2012)
  • The Effectiveness of Acupressure on Fatigue Management on Patients with Lung Cancer: Double-blinded Experimental Study (National Science Council, 2009- 2011)
  • The Effect of Energy Conservation and Activity Management Improved Fatigue in Patients with Lung Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Longitudinal Study (National Science Council, 2006-2008)
  • National Study on Role Competency, Manpower, and Clinical Practice of Nurse Practitioners in Taiwan (Ministry of Health, 2007-2009)
  • Different Personnel’ Perceptions and Recommendations to Nurse Practitioners’ Roles at Two Medical Centers： A Qualitative Inquiry (National Science Council, 2005-2006)
  • Influencing Factors of terminally ill patients’ caregivers: A Longitudinal Study (Chang Gung Hospital, 2005-2006) 
  • Exploration of Hospice Care in Taiwan (Chang Gung Hospital, 2003-2005)

Publication

1. Pham, T. N., Fang, J. T., Chen,S.Y., Fang, C. K., Fujimori, M., & Tang, W. R.*(2025). Effectiveness of Communication Skills Training on Cancer Patients’ Outcomes: A Case-Control Study in Taiwan. Psycho-Oncology. Sep Accepted.
2. Chen,S.Y., Fang, J. T., Hsieh, M. J., Lin, C. W.,  Tung, H. H., Fujimori, M., & Tang, W. R.*(2025).Enhancing Cancer Truth-Telling Perspectives Using Virtual Reality in Communication Skills Training: An Experimental Study Among Medical Students. Perspectives on Medical Education. Aug Accepted.
3. Chen,S.Y., Chen,S.H. , Zhou,M.X., Hsiao, C.C., Lin,C.C., Fang,J.T.,Maiko Fujimori , Tang, W. R.*(2025).Communication Skills Training to Improve Confidence and Skills in Pediatric Cancer Truth-Telling of Registered Nurses: A Quasi-Experimental Study. Psychooncology. Jul;34(7):e70215. doi: 10.1002/pon.70215 .Accepted.
4. Lin, Y. X., Thi Ngoc Pham, Weng, L. C., Fang, C. K., Hsieh, M. J.,Chang, Y. C. Fujimori, M., & Tang, W. R.*(2025).Comparing the Effectiveness of Online and Face-to-Face Teaching for Medical Students in Shared Decision-Making Communication Skills Training. Journal of General Internal Medicine, May;40(6):1403-1410. (SCI, IF= 4.2, Rank: 42/332)
5. Li, S. Z., Chen, S. Y., Chang, Y. L., Fang, C. K., Fujimori, M., & Tang, W. R. * (2024). Predicaments and Coping Strategies in Implementing Cancer Truth-telling: A Qualitative Content Analysis. Supportive Care in Cancer, 32, 602, 1-9. (SCI, IF= 3.0, Rank: 55/185)
6. Chiou, Y. G., Chen, S. Y., Wu, L. M., Shyu, Y. I. L., Chiang, Y. C., Hsiao, C. C., ... & Tang, W. R. *  (2024). Experiences and Preferences of Truth-telling in Families of Children with Cancer: A Phenomenological Study. Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing, 100500. (SCI, IF= 2.8, Rank: 25/192)
7. Chen, C. Y., Huang, B. S., Hong, J. H., Chang, J. T., Chen, M. C., Tang, W. R. , Shun, S. C., & Chen, M. L. (2024). Persistent Fatigue in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Receiving Radiotherapy. Journal of Nursing Research, 32(2), e319. (SCI, IF= 2.5, Rank: 35/192)
8. Fang, J. T. ,Chen, S. Y,Fan,P.H.,Lin,Y.X.,Kao,C.Y.,Lin,C.C.,Tang, W. R. * (2024)．Effectiveness of Online Early Hospice Palliative Care Communication Skills Training for Healthcare Personnel in Neurological Departments．Journal of Healthcare Quality，18(4)，42-51。
9. Li, C. L., Chen, P. Y., Yang, T. Y., Chang, J. T., Tang, W. R. , & Chen, M. L. (2023). Changes in fatigue among cancer patients before, during, and after radiation therapy: A meta-analysis. Worldviews on Evidence-based Nursing, 10.1111/wvn.12672. Advanced online publication. (SCI, IF= 3.4, Rank: 11/191)
10. Hu, Y. C., Chen, S. Y., Chou, W. C., Chen, J. S., Weng, L. C., Tsay, P. L., &Tang, W. R. * (2023). The Early Predictive Value of Frailty for Health-related Quality of Life Among Elderly Patients with Cancer Receiving Curative Chemotherapy. PLoS One, 18(8), e0287320.
11. Lai, C. C., Chen, S. Y., Chen, H. W., Li, H. Y., Hsu, H. H., Chen, L. C., & Tang, W. R. * (2023). Experiences of oncology healthcare personnel in international medical service quality: A phenomenological study. BMC Nursing, 22(1), 92.
12. Suandika, M., Chen, S. Y., Fang, J. T., Yang, S. H., Tsai, Y. F., Weng, L. C., Tsay, P. K., & Tang, W. R. * (2023). Effect of acupressure on fatigue in hemodialysis patients: A
single-blinded randomized controlled trial. Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine, 29(2), 111–118.
13. Fang, J. T., Chen, S. Y., Yang, L. Y., Liao, K. C., Lin, C. H., Fujimori, M., & Tang, W. R. * (2022). Improving transitional care through online communication skills training.Aging Clinical and Experimental Research, 34(12), 3063-3071.
14. Fang, J. T., Chen, S. Y., Tian, Y. C., Lee, C. H., Wu, I. W., Kao, C. Y., Lin, C. C., & Tang, W. R. * (2022). Effectiveness of end-stage renal disease communication skills training for healthcare personnel: A single-center, single-blind, randomized study. BMC Medical Education, 22(1), 397.
15. Chen, S. Y., Chou, W. C., Lin, Y. C., Tsang, N. M., Liao, K. C., Lin, C. H., ... & Tang, W. R. * (2022). Performance of two frailty screening tools among patients with cancer in Taiwan. Biomedical Journal, 45(2), 361-369.
16. Ho, Y. W., Tang, W. R., Chen, S. Y., Lee, S. H., Chen, J. S., Hung, Y. S., & Chou, W. C. * (2021). Association of frailty and chemotherapy-related adverse outcomes in geriatric patients with cancer: A pilot observational study in Taiwan. Aging, 13(21), 24192-24204.
17. Chen, S. H., Chen, S. Y., Yang, S. C., Chien, R. N., Chen, S. H., Chu, T. P., ... & Tang, W. R. * (2021). Effectiveness of communication skill training on cancer truth‐telling for advanced practice nurses in Taiwan: a pilot study. Psycho‐Oncology, 30(5),765-772.
18. Chen, S. Y., Fujimori, M., Wang, H. M., & Tang, W. R. * (2020). Gender differences in cancer patients’ preferences for truth-telling in Taiwan. Cancer Nursing, 30(5), 765-772
19. Chou, W. C., Chang, P. H., Chen, P. T., Wang, H. M., Yeh, K. Y., Lu, C. H., ... Tang, W. R. & Chen, S. Y. (2020). Clinical significance of vulnerability assessment in patients with primary head and neck cancer undergoing definitive concurrent chemoradiation therapy. International Journal of Radiation Oncology, 108(3), 602-611.
20. Huang, Y. T., Wang, Y. W., Chi, C. W., Hu, W. Y., Lin Jr, R., Shiao, C. C., & Tang, W. R.* (2020). Differences in medical costs for end-of-life patients receiving traditional care and those receiving hospice care: A retrospective study. PLoS One, 15(2), e0229176.
21. Hsu, T. H., Li, I. C.*, Fang, C. K., Tang, W. R., & Lin, C. T. (2019). A preliminary study of the effectiveness of cancer communication skills training for interdisciplinary staff.Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology, 49(8), 734-742.
22. Chen, J. C., Lee, Y. H., Liu, C. Y., Shih, H. H., Tsay, P. K., & Tang, W. R.* (2019). A correlational study of skin toxicity and quality of life in patients with advanced lung cancer receiving targeted therapy. Journal of Nursing Research, 27(6), e51.
23. Chen, S. Y., Wang, H. M., & Tang, W. R.* (2018). The differences in preference for truth-telling of patients with cancer of different genders. Cancer Nursing, 41(4), 320-326.
24. Wang, C. H., Lin, H. C., Chang, Y. C., Maa, S. H., Wang, J. S., & Tang, W. R.* (2017). Predictive factors of in-hospital mortality in ventilated intensive care unit: A prospective cohort study. Medicine, 96(51), e9165.
25. Tang, W. R., Hong, J. H., Rau, K. M., Wang, C. H., Juang, Y. Y., Lai, C. H., ... & Fang, C. K.* (2017). Truth-telling in Taiwanese cancer care: Patients' and families' preferences and their experiences of doctors' practices. Psycho-Oncology, 26(7), 999-1005.
26. Tang, W. R.*, & Kao, C. Y. (2017). Psychometric testing of the spiritual well-being scale–mandarin version in Taiwanese cancer patients. Palliative & Supportive Care, 15(3), 336-347.
27. Huang,Y.T., Chang, Y.M., Chen, I.L., Yang, C.L., Leu, S.C., Su, H.L., Kao, J.L., Tsai, S.C., Jhen, R.N., Tang, W.R., Shiao, C.C.*, SMHRG (Saint Mary’s Hospital Research Group on Geriatrics).(2017). Heart rate variability during hemodialysis is an indicator for long-term vascular access survival in uremic patients. PLoS One, 12(3), e0172212.
28. Huang, Y. T., Tseng, Y. T., Chu, T. W., Chen, J., Lai, M. Y., Tang, W. R., & Shiao, C. C.* (2016). N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP)–based score can predict in-hospital mortality in patients with heart failure. Scientific Reports, 6, 29590. 
29. Liu, C. H., Tang, W. R., Weng W. H., Lin, Y. H., Chen, C. Y. * (2016) The process of coping with stress by Taiwanese medical interns: A qualitative study. BMC MedicalEducation, 16, 10. 
30. Tang, W. R.*, Yang, S. H., Yu, C. T., Wang, C. C., Huang, S. T., Huang, T. H., ... & Chang, Y. C. (2016). Long-term effectiveness of combined treatment with traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine on the prognosis of patients with lung cancer. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 22(3), 212-222. 
31. Chen, C.M., Chung, Y.C., Tsai, L.H.,Tung, Y.C.,Lee, H.M., Lin, M.L., Liu, H.L., Tang, W.R.* (2016) A nationwide population-based study of corrosive ingestion in Taiwan: Incidence, gender differences, and mortality. Gastroenterology Research and Practice, 2016, 7905425. 
32. Lin, L. C., Weng, W. N., Li, H., Tang, W. R.* (2016). Reliability and validity of the questionnaire on nurse practitioners' roles and competencies. Journal of Clinical Nursing,25(1-2), 99-108. 
33. Tang, W. R., Chen, K. Y., Hsu, S. H., Juang, Y. Y., Chiu, S. C., Hsiao, S. C., Fujimori, M., Fang, C. K.* (2014). Effectiveness of the Japanese SHARE model in improving Taiwanese healthcare personnel's preference for cancer truth-telling. Psycho-Oncology, 23(3), 259-265. 
34. Tang, W. R.*, Chen W. J., Yu C. T., Chang Y. C., Chen C. M., Wang C. H., et al. (2014). Effects of acupressure on fatigue of lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: An experimental pilot study. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 22(4), 581-591. 
35. Tang, W. R.*, Fang, J. T., Fang, C. K., Fujimori, M. (2013). Truth-telling in medical practice: Students’ opinions versus their observations of attending physicians’ clinical practice. Psycho-Oncology, 22(7), 1605-1610. 
36. Liu, C. H., Tang, W. R*., Wang, H. M., Lee, K. C. (2013). How cancer patients build trust in traditional Chinese medicine. European Journal of Integrative Medicine, 5(6), 495-500. 
37. Chang, I. W., Shyu, Y. I., Tsay, P. K., Tang, W. R.* (2012). Comparison of nurse practitioners' perceptions of required competencies and self-evaluated competencies in Taiwan. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 21(17-18), 2679-2689. 
38. Liu, C. H., Tang, W. R*., Wang, H. M., Lee, K. C. (2011). Cancer patients’ experience of combined treatment with conventional and traditional Chinese medicine: A bio-psycho-social phenomenon. Cancer Nursing, 34(6),495-502. 
39. Tang, S. T. *, Tang, W. R., Liu, T. W., Lin, C. P., & Chen, J. S., (2010). What matters in pain management for terminally ill cancer patients in Taiwan? Journal of Palliative Care, 26(3), 151-158. 
40. Tang, W. R.*, Yu, C. C., Yeh, S. J. (2010). Fatigue and its related factors for patients with chronic heart failure. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 19(1-2), 69-78. 
41. Tang, S. T.*, Chen, C. C-H., Tang, W. R., & Liu, T. W. (2010). Determinants of patient-family caregiver congruence on preferred place of death in Taiwan. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 40(2), 235-245. 
42. Tang, W. R.*, Tang, S. T., & Kao, C. Y. (2009). Psychometric testing of the caregiver quality of life index-cancer on a Taiwanese family caregiver sample. Cancer Nursing,32(3), 220-229. 
43. Liu, T.C., Chang, W.H., Jiang, B.C., Maa, S.H., Chien, D.K., & Tang, W. R.* (2009). Mortality factors survey of SARS in Taiwan. International Journal of Gerontology, 3(1), 31-38. 
44. Tang, W. R.* (2009). Hospice family caregivers’ quality of life. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 18(18), 2563-2572.
Chinese: (*Corresponding Author) 
45. Chen, S. Y., Jhong, Y. C., Fang, C. K., Hsieh, J. G., Tang, W. R.* (2022). Implementing hospice care curriculum reform using multiple teaching strategies. Taiwan Journal of Hospice Palliative Care, 26(2), 120-134. 
46. Chen, S.Y., Tang, W. R.* (2020). The effectiveness of acupressure on cancer-related fatigue: A systematic review. Journal of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine.22(2), 11-24. 
47. Lai, C. C., Chen, H. W., Tang, W. R.* (2018). Status and Outlook of International Medical Services in Taiwan. Chang Gung Nursing, 30(4), 459-465. 
48. Chen, S.Y., Chen, C.Y., Peng, C. S., Yang, S. C., Tang, W. R.* (2018). Sharing decision making – taking the three-talk model as an example. Clinical Medicine, 81(6), 342-347. 
49. Chan, J. C., Yang, I. W., Tang, W. R.* (2017). A Project for improving the execution rate of assessment on” distress thermometer” (dt) by nurses in wards of hematology and oncology. Chang Gung Nursing, 28(3), 463-475. 
50. Chao, S. H., Weng, L.C., Tang, W. R.* (2017). The benefits of the hospital-based training program on nurse practitioners’ role competency. Journal of Taiwan Nurse Practitioners, 3(1), 30-40.
51. Tang, W. R.* (2016). Development of communication skill training on cancer truth-telling for advanced practice nurses. The Journal of Oncology Nursing, 16, 87-97.
52. Chung, C.H., Tang, W. R.* (2016). Nurse practitioners’ work items and their time allocation in Taiwan. Journal of Taiwan Nurse Practitioner, 2(1), 35-45.
53. Chang, C. H., Tang, W. R.* (2015). Job satisfaction and its related factors among the nurse practitioners in Taiwan. Journal of Taiwan Nurse Practitioners, 1(1), 30-42.
54. Hsu, Y. Y., Tang, W.R., Chang, Y. C., Maa, S. H.* (2013). A preliminary study of the work values of male nurses in Taiwan and related factors. Journal of Nursing, 60(2), 50- 60.
55. Tang, W. R.*, Fang, C. K., Chuang, Y. Y. (2013). Education of truth-telling for cancer: from the perspective of the author. Formosan Journal of Medicine, 17(2), 141-148.
56. Lee, C. Y., Chen, H. W., Li, Y. C., Tang, W. R., Fang, C. K.* (2011). Suicide Prevention in Cancer Care. Journal of Internal Medicine of Taiwan, 22(5), 335-343.
57. Lin, S. F., Tang, W. R., Chang, Y. C., Maa, S. H. * (2011). Effectiveness of Acupressure on Elderly Patients with Constipation. Journal of Nursing and Healthcare Research, 7(3), 175-187.
58. Tang, W. R., Chen, G. Y., Hsu, S. H., Fang, C. K.* (2010). Preliminary Effects of Truth-telling Training. Journal of Cancer Research and Practice, 26(3), 112-124.
59. Tang, W. R. (2009). The development of specialist nurses in Taiwan. Chinese Nursing Management. 9(4), 24-26.