Communication challenges experienced by migrants with cancer: A comparison of migrant and English-speaking Australian-born cancer patients

doi:10.1111/hex.12529

. 2017 Oct;20(5):886-895.

doi: 10.1111/hex.12529. Epub 2017 Mar 5.

Communication challenges experienced by migrants with cancer: A comparison of migrant and English-speaking Australian-born cancer patients

Amelia Hyatt¹, Ruby Lipson-Smith¹, Penelope Schofield^{1

2

3

4}, Karla Gough^{1

5}, Ming Sze^{6

7}, Lynley Aldridge^{6

7}, David Goldstein^{8

9}, Michael Jefford^{1

3}, Melanie L Bell^{7

10}, Phyllis Butow^{6

7

11}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Cancer Experiences Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
² Department of Psychology, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
³ Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia.
⁴ Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia.
⁵ Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia.
⁶ School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
⁷ Psycho-Oncology Cooperative Research Group, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
⁸ Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
⁹ Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
¹⁰ Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
¹¹ Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-Based Decision-Making, School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

PMID: 28261937
PMCID: PMC5600245
DOI: 10.1111/hex.12529

Communication challenges experienced by migrants with cancer: A comparison of migrant and English-speaking Australian-born cancer patients

Amelia Hyatt et al. Health Expect. 2017 Oct.

. 2017 Oct;20(5):886-895.

doi: 10.1111/hex.12529. Epub 2017 Mar 5.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Cancer Experiences Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
² Department of Psychology, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
³ Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia.
⁴ Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia.
⁵ Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia.
⁶ School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
⁷ Psycho-Oncology Cooperative Research Group, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
⁸ Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
⁹ Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
¹⁰ Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
¹¹ Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-Based Decision-Making, School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

PMID: 28261937
PMCID: PMC5600245
DOI: 10.1111/hex.12529

Abstract

Objectives: Understanding the difficulties faced by different migrant groups is vital to address disparities and inform targeted health-care service delivery. Migrant oncology patients experience increased morbidity, mortality and psychological distress, with this tentatively linked to language and communication difficulties. The objective of this exploratory study was to investigate the communication barriers and challenges experienced by Arabic, Greek and Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese) speaking oncology patients in Australia.

Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional design using patient-reported outcome survey data from migrant and English-speaking Australian-born patients with cancer. Patients were recruited through oncology clinics and Australian state cancer registries. Data were collected regarding patient clinical and demographic characteristics and health-care and communication experiences. Data from the clinics and registries were combined for analysis.

Results: Significant differences were found between migrant groups in demographic characteristics, communication and health-care experiences, and information and care preferences. Chinese patients cited problems with understanding medical information, the Australian health-care system, and communicating with their health-care team. Conversely, Arabic- and Greek-speaking patients reported higher understanding of the health-care system, and less communication difficulties.

Conclusions: Our study findings suggest that migrant groups differ from each other in their health communication expectations and requirements. Lower education and health literacy of some groups may play a role in poorer health outcomes. Public health interventions and assistance provided to migrants should be tailored to the specific needs and characteristics of that language or cultural group. Future research directions are discussed.

Keywords: cancer; communication; health literacy; healthcare; migrant; oncology.

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References

1. United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2015a). Trends in International Migrant Stock: The 2015 revision (United Nations database, POP/DB/MIG/Stock/Rev.2015) 2013.
1. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Global Trends: Forced Displacement in 2015. UNHCR. 2016; 1–68
1. Ramirez AG. Consumer–provider communication research with special populations. Patient Educ Couns. 2003;50:51–54. - PubMed
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1. Kagawa‐Singer M, Valdez Dadia A, Yu MC, Surbone A. Cancer, culture, and health disparities: time to chart a new course? CA Cancer J Clin. 2010;60:12–39. - PubMed

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[1] United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2015a). Trends in International Migrant Stock: The 2015 revision (United Nations database, POP/DB/MIG/Stock/Rev.2015) 2013.

[2] United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2015a). Trends in International Migrant Stock: The 2015 revision (United Nations database, POP/DB/MIG/Stock/Rev.2015) 2013.

[3] United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Global Trends: Forced Displacement in 2015. UNHCR. 2016; 1–68

[4] United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Global Trends: Forced Displacement in 2015. UNHCR. 2016; 1–68

[5] Ramirez AG. Consumer–provider communication research with special populations. Patient Educ Couns. 2003;50:51–54. - PubMed

[6] Ramirez AG. Consumer–provider communication research with special populations. Patient Educ Couns. 2003;50:51–54. - PubMed

[7] Ward E, Jemal A, Cokkinides V, et al. Cancer disparities by race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status. CA Cancer J Clin. 2004;54:78–93. - PubMed

[8] Ward E, Jemal A, Cokkinides V, et al. Cancer disparities by race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status. CA Cancer J Clin. 2004;54:78–93. - PubMed

[9] Kagawa‐Singer M, Valdez Dadia A, Yu MC, Surbone A. Cancer, culture, and health disparities: time to chart a new course? CA Cancer J Clin. 2010;60:12–39. - PubMed

[10] Kagawa‐Singer M, Valdez Dadia A, Yu MC, Surbone A. Cancer, culture, and health disparities: time to chart a new course? CA Cancer J Clin. 2010;60:12–39. - PubMed

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Communication challenges experienced by migrants with cancer: A comparison of migrant and English-speaking Australian-born cancer patients

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Communication challenges experienced by migrants with cancer: A comparison of migrant and English-speaking Australian-born cancer patients

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