How can we ensure cross-cultural communication in cancer care?

THIS ARTICLE WILL TELL YOU ABOUT

• The issue of communication between health professionals caring for patients with cancer from different cultures
• Limitations in using professional or family interpreters
• Summary of new NICE guidance

YOU WOULD BE LIKELY TO REFERENCE THIS ARTICLE IF YOU WERE RESEARCHING:

• Cancer care
• Cross-cultural patient care
• Communication
• NICE guidelines
• Black and minority ethnic groups

IN WHAT SITUATIONS WILL THIS ARTICLE BE USEFUL TO ME?

This article will help you become aware of the growing incidence of cancer in minority ethnic groups. Good communication is vital for practitioners to ensure supportive and palliative care.

QUESTIONS FOR YOUR MENTOR/TUTOR

• How often are cancer patients from differing cultures or ethnicities?
• What is our standard protocol to communicate with patients from black and ethnic minority groups to prevent miscommunication?
• What problems have arisen in your experience from miscommunication with those of differing cultures or ethnicities?
• How can our multicultural communication with patients be improved?

STUDENT NT DECODER

• Patient autonomy: a patient’s freedom and right to make decisions about their own care.
• Ethnicity: belonging to a social group that has a common national or cultural beliefs.

OTHER ARTICLES YOU MIGHT FIND USEFUL

• Improving quality of mental health care for BME clients
• Care homes told to improve services to BME patients
• How a link nurse ensured equal treatment for people of Asian origin with dementia
• Good communication helps to build a therapeutic relationship