What are the characteristics of a culturally and socially sensitive practitioner in the care of non-white women with cancer?

From the Guidelines

To be a culturally and socially sensitive practitioner in non-white women's cancer care, focus on developing cultural humility, recognizing health disparities, and adapting care approaches accordingly, as recommended by the most recent study 1 from 2024.

Key Characteristics of a Culturally Sensitive Practitioner

• Educate yourself about the specific cultural beliefs, practices, and health perspectives of the communities you serve, as these significantly influence how patients perceive illness, treatment, and healthcare interactions.
• Establish trust through respectful communication, using professional interpreters when needed rather than family members, and incorporating culturally appropriate explanations of cancer and treatments.
• Recognize that non-white women often face disproportionate barriers to care including financial constraints, transportation issues, family responsibilities, and historical medical mistrust.
• Implement practical solutions such as flexible scheduling, connecting patients with community resources, and involving family members in care decisions when culturally appropriate.
• Understand that presentation and progression of certain cancers may differ among racial and ethnic groups, requiring vigilance for symptoms that might otherwise be overlooked.
• Regular self-reflection on your own biases and assumptions is essential, as is seeking feedback from patients and colleagues about your cultural competence, as highlighted in 1 and 1.

Addressing Health Disparities

• Be aware of the disparities in access to care and barriers to uptake of treatments, and strive to deliver the highest level of cancer care to under-resourced populations, as emphasized in 1 and 1.
• Consider the social determinants of health, such as socioeconomic status, education level, and geographic location, when developing care plans, as discussed in 1.
• Use culturally sensitive and competent support services to address the unique needs of diverse patient populations, including sexual and gender minority populations, as recommended in 1.

Improving Patient Outcomes

• By adopting a culturally sensitive approach, you can improve patient outcomes by increasing treatment adherence, satisfaction with care, and overall quality of life during cancer treatment, as supported by the evidence from 1, 1, and 1.
• Regularly assess and address the cultural and social needs of your patients, and be willing to adapt your care approaches as needed to ensure the best possible outcomes.

From the Research

Characteristics of a Culturally and Socially Sensitive Practitioner

• A culturally and socially sensitive practitioner in the care of non-white women with cancer should possess certain characteristics, including the ability to communicate effectively and incorporate cultural beliefs into care and treatment 2.
• Providers should be aware of the importance of cultural competence and strive to improve their skills in this area, as increased and improved cultural competence education is recommended for providers at all levels 2.
• Patient-centered care (PCC) experiences can vary by race and ethnicity, and providers should be aware of these differences to provide high-quality care 3.
• Providers should be knowledgeable about the unique experiences and needs of underrepresented cancer patients, including Black, Hispanic, and Latina women, and be able to tailor their care accordingly 3, 4.

Communication Strategies

• Patient-centered communication strategies can alleviate patient burden, but few consider perspectives from racially and ethnically marginalized populations 4.
• Providers should use culturally sensitive communication strategies, such as addressing the cultural beliefs and values of their patients, to improve patient outcomes 2, 5.
• The use of lay health advisors and culturally sensitive advance care planning interventions can also be effective in promoting discussion about advance care planning among African American patients with cancer 6.

Cultural Competence

• Cultural competence is essential in the management of cancer, as it contributes to shaping patients' health-related values, beliefs, and behaviors 5.
• Providers should be aware of the importance of culturally competent healthcare systems and models for culturally competent communication 5.
• Strategies for culturally competent communication include being aware of one's own biases and cultural assumptions, using interpreters when necessary, and being sensitive to the cultural beliefs and values of patients 5.