Enhancing Oncology Health Care Provider's Sensitivity to Cultural Communication to Reduce Cancer Disparities: A Pilot Study

• Published in: Journal of cancer education 2011-06, Vol.26 (2), p.322-325
• Main Authors: Quinn, Gwendolyn P., Jimenez, Julio, Meade, Cathy D., Muñoz-Antonia, Teresita, Gwede, Clement K., Castro, Eida, Vadaparampil, Susan T., Simmons, Vani Nath, McIntyre, Jessica, Crocker, Theresa T., Brandon, Thomas H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Barriers; Beliefs; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Cancer; Cancer Research; Communication Skills; Communication Strategies; Competence; Cultural Competency - education; Cultural Competency - psychology; Cultural differences; Departments; Education, Medical - organization & administration; Ethnic Groups; Health Personnel - education; Health Personnel - psychology; Health Services; Healthcare Disparities; Hispanic American Culture; Hispanic people; Humans; Interpersonal Competence; Medical Education; Medical research; Medical Schools; Oncology; Outreach Programs; Patients; Pharmacology/Toxicology; Physician Patient Relationship; Physician patient relationships; Pilot Projects; Professional Competence; Professional Continuing Education; Resistance (Psychology); Surveys and Questionnaires; Terminal Illness
• ISSN: 0885-8195; 1543-0154
• DOI: 10.1007/s13187-011-0223-1

Under the auspices of a partnership grant to reduce cancer health disparities, Moffitt Cancer Center (MCC) partnered with the Ponce School of Medicine to identify the perceived cultural communication needs of MCC healthcare providers regarding Hispanic patients with limited or no English skills. Oncologists ( N  = 72) at MCC were surveyed to identify the specific areas of cultural communication techniques for which they desired to receive additional training. The majority of participants (66%) endorsed an interest in obtaining training to communicate difficult issues (terminal illness, controversial diagnosis) in a manner respectful to Hispanic culture. A workshop was conducted with providers ( N  = 55) to improve cultural communication between Hispanic patients and families focusing on culture, terminal illness, and communication strategies. Findings from a pre–post test indicate an overall positive response to the workshop. Results from this study can help inform future efforts to enhance cultural competency among health providers.