Communicating with patients from minority backgrounds: Individual challenges experienced by oncology health professionals

Abstract

Purpose Oncology health professionals (HPs) are increasingly required to care for patients from minority backgrounds. Yet many HPs have not had formal training in how to communicate effectively in culturally diverse settings. More information is needed about the challenges that oncology HPs face in communicating with minority patients to inform the content of formal training programs. This qualitative study aimed to identify oncology nurses’ and oncologists’ individual experiences and challenges in communicating with patients from minority backgrounds. Method Thirty-eight oncology HPs (21 oncology nurses, 12 medical oncologists, and 5 radiation oncologists) were interviewed individually or i..