Communication skills training for oncology health care professionals working with culturally and linguistically diverse patients.

Abstract

Aim: Develop and evaluate a novel online training program designed to equip health professionals to communicate with cancer patients from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds (CALD). Method(s): In Phase I of the study, medical and radiation oncologists and oncology nurses working in a clinical setting were interviewed in depth to investigate the main issues that health professionals working in oncology face with their CALD patients, as well as the communication strategies used to improve treatment outcomes. Findings from Phase I were used to guide the development of the content of the online intervention in Phase II. The website will be pilot tested using a prospective design with three questionnaire-based assessments. Result(s): Phase I: 38 oncologists and oncology nurses were interviewed and interviews were subjected to a rigorous qualitative analysis. The majority of participants believed that the main barrier to communication with CALD patients was one of language rather than culture. Interpreters were considered a vital resource; however, their availability was reported as varying greatly across health services. All participants reported that there was a dearth of available written resources, which reduced the quality of information being conveyed to CALD patients. The majority reported learning communication strategies from colleagues, or through their own experience, rather than formal training. Most participants felt that an online or workshop-based CST program focusing on the use of interpreters and cultural awareness in cancer care would be of value. Phase II: Program content development is now complete, and video production depicting model behaviours used with three key case-studies was completed in March 2015. Data collection for program evaluation will commence shortly, and evaluation data will be presented. Conclusion(s): Oncology health professionals reported several barriers to effective communication with CALD patients. All identified a need for further training, which could be delivered either online or be workshop-based.