title: Efficacy of Cancer Care Communication Between Clinicians and Latino Patients in a Rural US-Mexico Border Region: a Qualitative Study of Barriers and Facilitators to Better Communication.
abstract: Quality of clinician-patient cancer communication is vital to cancer care and survivorship. Racial/ethnic minority patients in rural regions may have unique characteristics including cultural beliefs, language barriers, and low health literacy which require effective cross-cultural cancer communication. Despite the growing US population of racial/ethnic minorities and widespread emphasis on culturally appropriate health communication, little is known about challenges and facilitators of cancer communication among underserved rural Latino cancer patients in the US-Mexico border region. This study conducted secondary data analysis of interview data collected from 22 individual cancer patients living on the US side of the US-Mexico border. Thematic analysis was conducted to explore a priori questions regarding patient experiences with cancer care communication with their providers. Emerging themes included lack of language concordance, patient perspectives on clarity and accuracy of information provided, patient perceptions on provider sensitivity in giving cancer diagnosis, and improving the clinical interpersonal relationship. Practice guidelines are suggested and discussed. These findings illuminate the importance of advancing improvement of cancer communication between clinicians and Spanish language-dominant Latinos.
authors: School of Social Work, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, 92182-4119, USA. eko@mail.sdsu.edu.
authors: Eunjeong
authors: E
authors: Ko
authors: Center for Alcohol and Drug Studies, School of Social Work, San Diego State University, 6386 Alvarado Court Ste 224, San Diego, CA, 92120, USA.
authors: María Luisa
authors: ML
authors: Zúñiga
authors: Cancer Resource Center of the Desert, 444 S. 8th Street, Suite B3, El Centro, CA, 92243, USA.
authors: Diana
authors: D
authors: Peacher
authors: Cancer Resource Center of the Desert, 444 S. 8th Street, Suite B3, El Centro, CA, 92243, USA.
authors: Helen
authors: H
authors: Palomino
authors: Cancer Resource Center of the Desert, 444 S. 8th Street, Suite B3, El Centro, CA, 92243, USA.
authors: Mercedes
authors: M
authors: Watson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003142:Communication; D003144:Communication Barriers; D000078332:Data Analysis; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D010358:Patient Participation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012424:Rural Population; D014481:United States
keywords: Barriers/facilitators; Cancer communication; Hispanic; Latino; Rural; US-Mexico border