title: Cross-Cultural Communication in Oncology: Challenges and Training Interests.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To survey oncology nurses and oncologists about difficulties in taking care of culturally and linguistically diverse patients and about interests in cross-cultural training. .
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive, cross-sectional. .
  
  
  METHODS
  Web-based survey. .
  
  
  METHODS
  108 oncology nurses and 44 oncologists.  .
  
  
  METHODS
  31-item questionnaire derived from preexisting surveys in the United States and Switzerland. .
  
  
  METHODS
  Self-rated difficulties in taking care of culturally and linguistically diverse patients and self-rated interests in cross-cultural training. .
  
  
  RESULTS
  All respondents reported communication difficulties in encounters with culturally and linguistically diverse patients. Respondents considered the absence of written materials in other languages, absence of a shared common language with patients, and sensitive subjects (e.g., end of life, sexuality) to be particularly problematic. Respondents also expressed a high level of interest in all aspects of cross-cultural training (task-oriented skills, background knowledge, reflexivity, and attitudes). Nurses perceived several difficulties related to care of migrants as more problematic than physicians did and were more interested in all aspects of cross-cultural training.  .
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The need for cross-cultural training is high among oncology clinicians, particularly among nurses. .
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results reported in the current study may help nurses in decision-making positions and educators in introducing elements of cross-cultural education into oncology curricula for nurses. Cross-cultural training should be offered to oncology nurses.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital of Lausanne in Switzerland.
authors.forename: Orest
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.affiliation: University Hospital of Lausanne in Switzerland.
authors.forename: Brikela
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sulstarova
authors.affiliation: University Hospital of Lausanne in Switzerland.
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Singy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003144:Communication Barriers; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D065246:Culturally Competent Care; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: cross-cultural communication; cross-cultural training; diversity management; oncology; training needs