Evidence map›Paper›PMID 28261937›Full record

ArticleHealth expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy2017

Communication challenges experienced by migrants with cancer: A comparison of migrant and English-speaking Australian-born cancer patients.

Amelia Hyatt, Ruby Lipson-Smith, Penelope Schofield, Karla Gough, Ming Sze, Lynley Aldridge, David Goldstein, Michael Jefford, Melanie L Bell, Phyllis Butow

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy, 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 29 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
29citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

29 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
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  6. The Treatment Experience of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Cancer Patients: A Scoping Review To Inform Radiotherapy Communication.Journal of cancer education : the official journal of the American Association for Cancer Education · 2025
    Review
  7. Colorectal cancer survivorship program at a single tertiary centre: has service provision changed after COVID-19?Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2025
    Article
  8. Review
  9. Improving communication skills in caregivers: an adaptation and pilot test of a brief training module for caregivers of people with cancer in Australia.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2024
    Article
  10. Article
  11. Article
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  14. Equity in the Access of Chinese Immigrants to Healthcare Services in Portugal.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2023
    Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Amelia HyattDepartment of Cancer Experiences Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
Ruby Lipson-SmithDepartment of Cancer Experiences Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
Penelope SchofieldDepartment of Cancer Experiences Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
Karla GoughDepartment of Cancer Experiences Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
Ming SzeSchool of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Lynley AldridgeSchool of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
David GoldsteinPrince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Michael JeffordDepartment of Cancer Experiences Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
Melanie L BellPsycho-Oncology Cooperative Research Group, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Phyllis ButowSchool of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesUnderstanding the difficulties faced by different migrant groups is vital to address disparities and inform targeted health-care service delivery. Migrant oncology patients experience increased morbidity, mortality and psychological distress, with this tentatively linked to language and communication difficulties. The objective of this exploratory study was to investigate the communication barriers and challenges experienced by Arabic, Greek and Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese) speaking oncology patients in Australia.

methodsThis study employed a cross-sectional design using patient-reported outcome survey data from migrant and English-speaking Australian-born patients with cancer. Patients were recruited through oncology clinics and Australian state cancer registries. Data were collected regarding patient clinical and demographic characteristics and health-care and communication experiences. Data from the clinics and registries were combined for analysis.

resultsSignificant differences were found between migrant groups in demographic characteristics, communication and health-care experiences, and information and care preferences. Chinese patients cited problems with understanding medical information, the Australian health-care system, and communicating with their health-care team. Conversely, Arabic- and Greek-speaking patients reported higher understanding of the health-care system, and less communication difficulties.

conclusionsOur study findings suggest that migrant groups differ from each other in their health communication expectations and requirements. Lower education and health literacy of some groups may play a role in poorer health outcomes. Public health interventions and assistance provided to migrants should be tailored to the specific needs and characteristics of that language or cultural group. Future research directions are discussed.

Indexed as

Communication BarriersHealth Services AccessibilityLanguageAdolescentAdultAgedAged, 80 and overAustraliaCross-Sectional StudiesCultural CompetencyFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedNeoplasmsPatient Education as Topiccancercommunicationhealthcarehealth literacymigrantoncology

Identifiers

PMID28261937
PMCPMC5600245

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.