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Understanding cultural differences through family assessment.
1Department of Nursing, Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Summary
Cultural differences significantly impact how immigrant families cope with cancer diagnoses. Healthcare professionals need cultural competency training to better support diverse family structures and needs during hospitalization and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Sociology
- Cross-cultural Psychology
Background:
- Family's role in cancer stress management is documented.
- Cultural differences in coping with cancer are under-researched.
- Healthcare professionals in urban settings encounter diverse families.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the need for cultural education for healthcare professionals.
- To understand family structures, functions, and health needs across cultures.
- To explore cultural variations in coping with cancer diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of nine interviews.
- Focus on Greek, Chinese, and Italian immigrant families.
- Examined perceptions of hospitalization, coping, and problem-solving.
Main Results:
- Fear and loneliness were common initial emotions during hospitalization.
- Family coping strategies often differed from healthcare personnel recommendations.
- Cultural background influenced stress management and problem-solving approaches.
Conclusions:
- Healthcare education curricula require expansion to include cultural considerations.
- Cultural competency is crucial for effective patient and family support.
- Understanding diverse family dynamics is essential for cancer care professionals.