title: The social difficulties of cancer patients of South Asian Indian and Pakistani origin: a cross-sectional questionnaire and interview study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate, in a sample of patients of South Asian (SA) origin, the acceptability of introducing assessment of social difficulties in everyday practice, examine the range and severity of reported social difficulties and inquire about their management.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study in which participants completed the Social Difficulties Inventory (SDI-21) in English, Urdu, Punjabi or Hindi followed by a semi-structured interview.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants comprised 26 men and 29 women of SA origin ranging between 18 and 80 years of age. The commonest primary languages were Urdu (n=17) and Punjabi (n=17). English was the primary language of three participants. A range of cancer diagnoses and stages of disease were represented.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were recruited from outpatient haematology and oncology clinics in Bradford, Airedale and Leeds hospitals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SA cancer patients welcomed routine assessment of social difficulties as part of their cancer care. They reported higher levels of social distress than found in earlier studies of white British patients. The majority managed their social difficulties themselves with little discussion with the clinical team, although, at times, this would have been welcomed. SA patients lacked information and were unaware of the support available to them, especially when language was a barrier.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Introduction of routine assessment of social difficulties into cancer care will require not only relevant and accessible screening tools such as the SDI-21, but also staff trained to respond to the difficulties disclosed, with knowledge of information sources and supportive care services when patients request these.
authors.affiliation: King's College London, Division of Health and Social Care Research, UK.
authors.forename: Nimarta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dharni
authors.forename: Naheed
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hanif
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bradley
authors.forename: Galina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Velikova
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stark
authors.forename: Penny
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wright
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology; D003144:Communication Barriers; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004651:Employment; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000208:ethnology; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D010154:Pakistan / Q000208:ethnology; D011998:Recreation / Q000523:psychology; D012934:Social Isolation / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult