Table 2 Semi-structured interview guide

1. Can you describe your views on palliative care for patients with advanced cancer?

2. Can you describe your opinion on different treatment options for advanced cancer? Do you prefer a more active treatment plan, or a more palliative treatment plan?

3. Would you recommend that patients with advanced cancer receive palliative care?

4. When you make a decision to recommend palliative care for patients with advanced cancer, what are the main considerations?

5. At what stage do you think patients with advanced cancer should receive palliative care? Would you recommend palliative care at the patient's first visit?

6. How do you inform advanced cancer patients who need palliative care?

7. What factors do you think will affect the decision of advanced cancer patients and their families, as to whether to choose palliative care?

8. Can you describe how you would deal with a situation in which you would recommend that patients receive palliative care, but the patient or family members still request only active treatment?

9. Can you describe your views on the use of pain medications, and pain-related issues for palliative care patients?

10. What do you think are ethical issues in this area? Can you describe any ethical issues you have encountered related to palliative care?

11. Can you describe how you solve issues related to palliative care and ethics? What guides you to solve this type of problem?

12. What palliative care skills and ethical problem-solving skills do you think oncologists need to have?

13. Have you received training on palliative care and ethical issues?

14. Do you think it is necessary to promote and improve the palliative care of patients with advanced cancer in China?

15. What do you think is the current status of the development of palliative care for advanced cancer patients in China? Are there any obstacles or challenges?

16. Do you have anything to add regarding palliative care and ethical issues?