Back to Search
Start Over
Barriers beyond words: cancer, culture, and translation in a community of Russian speakers.
- Source :
- JGIM: Journal of General Internal Medicine; Nov2007 Supplement 2, Vol. 22, p300-305, 6p, 1 Chart
- Publication Year :
- 2007
-
Abstract
- <bold>Background: </bold>Language and culture relate in complex ways. Addressing this complexity in the context of language translation is a challenge when caring for patients with limited English proficiency (LEP).<bold>Objective: </bold>To examine processes of care related to language, culture and translation in an LEP population is the objective of this study.<bold>Design: </bold>We used community based participatory research to examine the experiences of Russian-speaking cancer patients in San Francisco, California. A Russian Cancer Information Taskforce (RCIT), including community-based organizations, local government, and clinics, participated in all phases of the study.<bold>Participants: </bold>A purposeful sample of 74 individuals were the participants of the study.<bold>Approach: </bold>The RCIT shaped research themes and facilitated access to participants. Methods were focus groups, individual interviews, and participant observation. RCIT reviewed data and provided guidance in interpreting results.<bold>Results: </bold>Four themes emerged. (1) Local Russian-language resources were seen as inadequate and relatively unavailable compared to other non-English languages; (2) a taboo about the word "cancer" led to language "games" surrounding disclosure; (3) this taboo, and other dynamics of care, reflected expectations that Russian speakers derived from experiences in their countries of origin; (4) using interpreters as cultural brokers or establishing support groups for Russian speakers could help address barriers.<bold>Conclusions: </bold>The language barriers experienced by this LEP population reflect cultural and linguistic issues. Providers should consider partnering with trained interpreters to address the intertwining of language and culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- CANCER patients
PARTICIPANT observation
ENGLISH language
HEALTH facilities
OBSERVATION (Psychology)
QUALITATIVE research
TUMOR treatment
TUMOR diagnosis
CULTURE
RESEARCH
FOCUS groups
COMMUNICATION barriers
RESEARCH methodology
INTERVIEWING
EVALUATION research
MEDICAL cooperation
COMPARATIVE studies
CULTURAL competence
HEALTH attitudes
RESEARCH funding
TUMORS
PATIENT-professional relations
TRANSLATIONS
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 08848734
- Volume :
- 22
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- JGIM: Journal of General Internal Medicine
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 27800508
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-007-0325-y