A qualitative study of mechanisms influencing social inequality in cancer communication

Objective To understand and describe mechanisms influencing social inequality in cancer communication between patients, companions and healthcare professionals. Methods The study was based on observations of 104 encounters and 30 semi‐structured interviews with nurses and medical doctors on three Da...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psycho-oncology (Chichester, England) England), 2021-11, Vol.30 (11), p.1965-1972
Main Authors: Dencker, Annemarie, Tjørnhøj‐Thomsen, Tine, Pedersen, Pia Vivian
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cancer
Communication
Cultural capital
cultural competency
health disparities
Health literacy
Health Personnel
Humans
Hygiene
Inequality
Information sharing
Interviews
Medical personnel
Neoplasms - therapy
Nurses
Oncology
Patient communication
physician‐patient relations
Qualitative Research
Social inequality
Socioeconomic Factors
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Summary:Objective To understand and describe mechanisms influencing social inequality in cancer communication between patients, companions and healthcare professionals. Methods The study was based on observations of 104 encounters and 30 semi‐structured interviews with nurses and medical doctors on three Danish oncology wards. Observations, interviews and subsequent analysis were guided by the theoretical framework of cultural health capital developed by Shim to investigate mechanisms that may generate social inequality in cancer communication. The analysis addressed both interactive processes and interpretative meanings. Results Information exchange was affected by (1) patient insight and preparation, (2) the presence of companions, and (3) communicating on patients' “home ground.” Patients who, on the basis of language and hygiene, were assessed to have low capacity, received less information. Lack of mutual exchange of information left healthcare professionals and patients with fewer opportunities to provide—or receive—the best treatment. Conclusion Exchange of information between patients, companions and healthcare professionals is co‐constructed in a mutual dynamic. To avoid social inequality in cancer communication, it is crucial that questions and answers allow proportionate insight into disease and treatment both for patients and for healthcare professionals.
ISSN:1057-9249
1099-1611
DOI:10.1002/pon.5767