Through the lens of oncologists when communicating with non-Western migrants about cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis: Results from a Dutch online survey

IF 3.1 2区医学 Q2 PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH Patient Education and Counseling Pub Date : 2025-05-01 Epub Date: 2025-01-27 DOI:10.1016/j.pec.2025.108679

Asiye Gedik , Esther van Meerten , Olga Husson , Winette T.A. van der Graaf

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Abstract

Objectives

With rising cancer incidence rates and a growing migrant population in Europe, understanding oncologists’ challenges in communication and providing cancer care to patients with a non-Western migration (NWM) background is crucial. This study aimed to explore the perspectives and experiences of oncologists, including those in training, as they interact with such patients about their cancer diagnosis, stage, treatment, and prognosis.

Methods

Between June and September 2023, an online survey was conducted among medical oncologists and trainees (MO) and pulmonologists and trainees (PO) from university medical centers or regional hospitals in the Netherlands. The survey, hosted on LimeSurvey, included descriptive statistics, Chi-Square tests to compare the responses of MO and PO, and thematic qualitative analysis of responses to open questions.

Results

The survey included 112 oncologists, including trainees. The majority directly disclosed a cancer diagnosis to patients, often using family members as interpreters because of language barriers. When families opposed direct disclosure, most oncologists explored the patients’ preferences. More than half of MO and PO were satisfied with their communication, with PO reporting higher levels of helplessness and discontent. Challenges included managing family expectations and addressing cultural differences. Qualitative analysis of open responses revealed six themes in decreasing frequency: person-centered care, cultural competence and ethics, education and research, third parties, communication, and palliative care. Nearly 80 percent of oncologists want more research to develop practical tools to optimize communication.

Conclusion

Oncologists (in training) adhere to Western care practices when communicating with patients with an NWM background, which can lead to challenges because of different expectations and cultural beliefs. Oncologists express a need for tools to optimize communication with patients with an NWM background.

Practice implications

The implementation of education and training programs can support oncologists in their daily work and promote culturally sensitive healthcare delivery in oncology.

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通过肿瘤学家与非西方移民交流癌症诊断、治疗和预后的视角：来自荷兰在线调查的结果。

随着欧洲癌症发病率的上升和移民人口的增加，了解肿瘤学家在沟通和为非西方移民（NWM）背景的患者提供癌症治疗方面的挑战至关重要。本研究旨在探讨肿瘤学家的观点和经验，包括那些在培训中的肿瘤学家，当他们与这些患者就他们的癌症诊断、分期、治疗和预后进行互动时。方法：在2023年6月至9月期间，对荷兰大学医疗中心或地区医院的肿瘤学家和实习生（MO）以及肺病学家和实习生（PO）进行在线调查。这项由LimeSurvey主持的调查包括描述性统计、卡方检验来比较MO和PO的回答，以及对开放性问题的回答进行专题定性分析。结果：调查对象包括实习医师在内的肿瘤学家112人。由于语言障碍，大多数医生直接向患者透露癌症诊断结果，通常由家庭成员作为翻译。当家属反对直接披露病情时，大多数肿瘤学家会探究患者的偏好。超过一半的MO和PO对他们的沟通感到满意，PO报告的无助和不满程度更高。挑战包括管理家庭期望和处理文化差异。公开回复的定性分析揭示了频率下降的六个主题：以人为本的护理、文化能力和伦理、教育和研究、第三方、沟通和姑息治疗。近80%的肿瘤学家希望更多的研究来开发实用的工具来优化沟通。结论：肿瘤学家（在培训中）在与NWM背景的患者交流时坚持西方护理实践，这可能会因为不同的期望和文化信仰而带来挑战。肿瘤学家表示需要工具来优化与具有NWM背景的患者的沟通。实践启示：教育和培训计划的实施可以支持肿瘤学家的日常工作，并促进肿瘤学文化敏感的医疗保健服务。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Patient Education and Counseling 医学-公共卫生、环境卫生与职业卫生

CiteScore

5.60

自引率

11.40%

发文量

384

审稿时长

46 days

期刊介绍： Patient Education and Counseling is an interdisciplinary, international journal for patient education and health promotion researchers, managers and clinicians. The journal seeks to explore and elucidate the educational, counseling and communication models in health care. Its aim is to provide a forum for fundamental as well as applied research, and to promote the study of organizational issues involved with the delivery of patient education, counseling, health promotion services and training models in improving communication between providers and patients.