Professor and Dean at Chang Gung University, Taiwan
Dr. Woung-Ru Tang, Ph.D., is an esteemed academic and researcher specializing in hospice care, cancer truth-telling, and cancer-related fatigue. With decades of experience in clinical nursing education and palliative healthcare, she currently serves as a professor at Chang Gung University. Dr. Tang has made significant contributions to nursing research, particularly in the development of communication training models for cancer truth-telling and palliative care. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates ethical research practices, shared decision-making, and patient-centered care, which are central to her teaching and research philosophies. She has collaborated with institutions across Taiwan, Australia, and the United States, and her work has been widely published in high-impact scientific journals. Dr. Tang’s academic career is distinguished not only by her research productivity but also by her ability to translate findings into effective clinical and educational practices. Her pioneering studies have led to the advancement of culturally sensitive palliative education models and the implementation of AI in healthcare curricula. As a mentor and educator, she has trained numerous graduate students and healthcare professionals in Taiwan and internationally. Her passion for evidence-based practice and holistic care continues to inspire advancements in nursing science and patient communication.
Professional Profile
Education
Dr. Woung-Ru Tang’s academic foundation reflects a lifelong dedication to nursing and health sciences. She began her journey with a Bachelor of Science degree from the National Taipei College of Nursing in 1988, where she developed a foundational understanding of clinical nursing and patient care. Building on this, she pursued her Master of Science at Fort Hays State University in 1993, where she was awarded the Leora Stroup Master’s Award for her outstanding academic performance, indicating early excellence in research and leadership. Dr. Tang culminated her formal education with a Ph.D. from the University of Kansas in 2001. Her doctoral work was recognized with the prestigious Melba Carter Award for Best Dissertation, reflecting the scholarly depth and impact of her research. Her educational progression from Taiwan to the United States highlights a blend of Eastern and Western academic experiences, enriching her perspective on global nursing practices. This diverse academic background has been instrumental in shaping her pioneering work in cancer truth-telling and palliative care communication. Her interdisciplinary education has allowed her to bridge gaps between cultural sensitivity, clinical research, and advanced nursing practice, preparing her to mentor future generations of healthcare professionals and researchers.
Professional Experience
Dr. Woung-Ru Tang’s professional trajectory exemplifies a seamless integration of clinical practice, academic leadership, and research innovation. Currently serving as a professor at Chang Gung University, she is deeply involved in curriculum development, graduate education, and interdisciplinary research. Dr. Tang’s teaching spans a broad array of subjects across Nursing MSN and Ph.D. programs, including Nursing Theory, Medical-Surgical Nursing, Research Ethics, and Hospice Care. She also contributes to medical education in areas such as shared decision-making and communication in cancer care. Her leadership extends beyond teaching; she has led numerous grant-funded projects in Taiwan and internationally, focusing on truth-telling communication models, AI integration in nursing education, and virtual reality tools for skill training. In her administrative and mentorship roles, Dr. Tang has trained countless nurse practitioners and researchers, often emphasizing culturally competent care and evidence-based approaches. She has collaborated with health ministries and academic institutions to improve hospice and palliative services, both in policy and practice. Through her academic and clinical leadership, Dr. Tang has positioned herself as a key figure in modern nursing education and palliative research, making lasting contributions to healthcare systems and professional development.
Research Interest
Dr. Woung-Ru Tang’s research interests lie at the intersection of communication, ethics, and palliative care within the nursing discipline. A significant portion of her work has focused on cancer truth-telling—a culturally sensitive and ethically complex issue in clinical practice. She investigates how healthcare professionals, patients, and families engage in conversations about terminal diagnoses, and she develops training interventions to improve this communication. In parallel, Dr. Tang also addresses cancer-related fatigue, designing non-pharmacological interventions such as acupressure to enhance patients’ quality of life. Hospice care remains a core area of her inquiry, with studies targeting team-based learning, curriculum reforms, and early integration of palliative care for non-cancer illnesses. More recently, her research has expanded into educational innovations, including virtual reality modules and AI-based classification models to improve clinical communication training. Dr. Tang’s scholarship bridges academic research with applied solutions, often funded by national and international grants. Her commitment to ethical research, patient advocacy, and interdisciplinary collaboration ensures her findings are both scientifically rigorous and clinically applicable. With over 50 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Tang continues to shape nursing knowledge and elevate care standards through her thoughtful exploration of complex healthcare dynamics.
Research Skills
Dr. Woung-Ru Tang possesses a robust set of research skills encompassing qualitative and quantitative methodologies, curriculum development, and intervention design. She is particularly proficient in conducting longitudinal and quasi-experimental studies that assess clinical outcomes and communication competencies. Her research design expertise is evident in projects such as randomized controlled trials on acupressure for fatigue and intervention assessments in pediatric cancer truth-telling. Dr. Tang is skilled in grounded theory, phenomenological analysis, and content analysis, which she has applied to understand experiences of patients, families, and healthcare professionals. She excels in mixed-method research, synthesizing numerical data with contextual insights to inform practice and policy. Additionally, her competency in developing and validating educational models, such as VR modules and AI-based classification systems, highlights her interdisciplinary strengths. Dr. Tang is also adept in grant writing, securing extensive funding from entities like the Ministry of Science and Technology and National Cancer Institute. Her ability to translate research findings into curricular reforms and policy recommendations speaks to her practical acumen. She regularly collaborates with cross-national teams and mentors junior researchers in research ethics and publication strategies, further extending her influence in the academic and clinical community.
Awards and Honors
Throughout her distinguished career, Dr. Woung-Ru Tang has been recognized with numerous awards and honors that underscore her excellence in nursing education, research, and clinical practice. Notably, she received the Melba Carter Award for Best Dissertation from the University of Kansas in 2001, reflecting the significance of her doctoral research. In the same year, she earned the 2nd Place Award at the Student Research Forum of the University of Kansas Medical Center. Earlier in her academic journey, she was awarded the Leora Stroup Master’s Award for being the top master’s student at Fort Hays State University in 1993. Dr. Tang was also honored twice as a Distinguished Alumni by the Chung-Jen Junior College of Nursing, Health Sciences and Management in Taiwan, in 2003 and again in 2011, which highlights her lasting impact on nursing education in her home country. These accolades are complemented by a consistent record of successful grant acquisition and impactful publications. Her recognition reflects not only individual achievement but also a sustained contribution to healthcare education, particularly in advancing cancer care, hospice communication, and ethical research methodologies.
Conclusion
Dr. Woung-Ru Tang stands as a paragon of excellence in nursing education, palliative care, and healthcare communication. Her academic journey, grounded in both Taiwanese and Western institutions, has empowered her with a unique cultural and professional lens through which she approaches clinical research and education. Through her work in cancer truth-telling, fatigue management, and hospice curriculum reform, she has advanced the scope of nursing practice and enriched patient-centered care strategies. Her impressive portfolio of publications, successful research grants, and teaching engagements illustrates a sustained commitment to improving the quality of healthcare delivery. As a mentor, educator, and researcher, Dr. Tang continues to shape the next generation of nursing professionals with a focus on ethical practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovation. Her integration of AI and virtual reality into nursing education underscores her forward-thinking vision. Ultimately, Dr. Tang’s career reflects not only scholarly excellence but also deep compassion for patient dignity and empowerment. Her enduring impact on the fields of oncology, nursing communication, and hospice care makes her a respected leader and a source of inspiration in global healthcare education and research.
Publications Top Notes
1. Title: Communication Skills Training to Improve Confidence and Skills in Pediatric Cancer Truth-Telling of Registered Nurses: A Quasi-Experimental Study
Authors: Chen S.Y., Chen S.H., Zhou M.X., Hsiao C.C., Lin C.C., Fang J.T., Maiko Fujimori, Tang W.R.*
Year: 2025
2. Title: Comparing the Effectiveness of Online and Face-to-Face Teaching for Medical Students in Shared Decision-Making Communication Skills Training
Authors: Lin Y.X., Thi Ngoc Pham, Weng L.C., Fang C.K., Hsieh M.J., Chang Y.C., Fujimori M., Tang W.R.*
Year: 2025
Citations: 1
3. Title: Predicaments and Coping Strategies in Implementing Cancer Truth-Telling: A Qualitative Content Analysis
Authors: Li S.Z., Chen S.Y., Chang Y.L., Fang C.K., Fujimori M., Tang W.R.*
Year: 2024
4. Title: Experiences and Preferences of Truth-Telling in Families of Children with Cancer: A Phenomenological Study
Authors: Chiou Y.G., Chen S.Y., Wu L.M., Shyu Y.I.L., Chiang Y.C., Hsiao C.C., … , Tang W.R.*
Year: 2024
Citations: 1
5. Title: Changes in Fatigue Among Cancer Patients Before, During, and After Radiation Therapy: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Li C.L., Chen P.Y., Yang T.Y., Chang J.T., Tang W.R., Chen M.L.
Year: 2023