Journal of General Internal Medicine
Volume 23, Issue 1, 2008, Pages 45-50

Cancer and communication in the health care setting: Experiences of older Vietnamese immigrants, a qualitative study (Article)

Nguyen G.T.* , Barg F.K. , Armstrong K. , Holmes J.H. , Hornik R.C.
  • a Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States, Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States, Center of Excellence in Cancer Communication Research, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States, Graduate Program in Public Health Studies, Center for Public Health Initiatives, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States, Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Pennsylvania, Gates Building, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
  • b Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States, Graduate Program in Public Health Studies, Center for Public Health Initiatives, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States, Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
  • c Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States, Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
  • d Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States, Graduate Program in Public Health Studies, Center for Public Health Initiatives, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States, Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
  • e Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States, Center of Excellence in Cancer Communication Research, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States, Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States, Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Abstract

BACKGROUND: As patients grow older, accurate communication with health care providers about cancer becomes increasingly important. However, little is known about the cancer communication experiences of older Asian immigrants. OBJECTIVE: To learn about the cancer-related communication experiences of older Vietnamese immigrants from the insider perspective. DESIGN: Qualitative study (grounded theory, constant comparative method) using individual interviews with older Vietnamese immigrants with the purpose of discussing how they learn about cancer. Interviews were conducted in Vietnamese. PARTICIPANTS: Vietnamese immigrants aged 50-70 years, recruited through community-based organizations. Most had low education and limited English proficiency. The sample size of 20 was sufficient to achieve theoretical saturation. RESULTS: We identified 3 categories of themes concerning informants' experiences with cancer communication in the health care setting: (1) attitudes about addressing screening with providers, (2) issues/problems communicating with physicians about cancer, and (3) language/translation difficulties. There was substantial overlap between informants who mentioned each theme category, and 40% of the participants mentioned all 3 categories. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should be aware of and act upon specific cancer communication needs/challenges of their older immigrant patients. Moreover, health care systems need to be prepared to address the needs of an increasingly multiethnic and linguistically diverse patient population. Finally, community-level interventions should address baseline knowledge deficits while encouraging immigrant patients to engage their doctors in discussions about cancer screening. © 2007 Society of General Internal Medicine.

Author Keywords

cancer Immigrant communication Asian Doctor-patient relationship

Index Keywords

doctor patient relation Vietnam Physician-Patient Relations Communication Barriers educational status immigrant neoplasm interpersonal communication Neoplasms human middle aged Cohort Studies Aged cancer screening Humans Philadelphia Interviews as Topic Asian Americans Emigrants and Immigrants male Viet Nam female qualitative analysis Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Article health care organization adult physician patient attitude health care system Health Services Accessibility
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-37749027187&doi=10.1007%2fs11606-007-0455-2&partnerID=40&md5=038239e2d3b6fa20067f40842f7d06e5
DOI: 10.1007/s11606-007-0455-2
ISSN: 08848734
Cited by: 31
Original Language: English