Resourcing: An approach used by foreign-born parents struggling on in childhood cancer care

Sweden's population is gradually changing to become more multiethnic and diverse and that applies also for recipients of health care, including childhood cancer care. A holistic view on the sick child in the context of its family has always been a cornerstone in childhood cancer care in Sweden. The purpose of this study was to gain knowledge about the experiences and main concern of foreign-born parents in the context of paediatric cancer care. Interviews were performed with eleven foreign-born parents and data were analysed using a classic grounded theory approach. Foreign-born parents often feel in a position of powerless dependence, but family interests are protected in their approaches to interaction with healthcare staff, through cooperation, contesting, and reluctant resigning. Healthcare staff need to listen to foreign-born parents and deal with their concerns seriously to prevent powerless-dependence and work for trustful cooperation in the common fight against childhood cancer.

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Quality of cancer care among foreign-born and US-born patients with lung or colorectal cancer

Cancer ◽

10.1002/cncr.25546 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 116 (23) ◽

pp. 5497-5506 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Signe Smith Nielsen ◽

Yulei He ◽

John Z. Ayanian ◽

Scarlett Lin Gomez ◽

Katherine L. Kahn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Colorectal Cancer ◽

Cancer Care ◽

Foreign Born

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Childhood cancer care in the Middle East, North Africa, and West/Central Asia: A snapshot across five countries from the POEM network

Cancer Epidemiology ◽

10.1016/j.canep.2020.101727 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 101727

Author(s):

Maya Basbous ◽

Mazin Al-Jadiry ◽

Asim Belgaumi ◽

Iyad Sultan ◽

Alaa Al-Haddad ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Middle East ◽

Childhood Cancer ◽

Central Asia ◽

North Africa ◽

Cancer Care ◽

West Central

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Using data to improve childhood cancer care in low and low-middle income countries, Ghana as an example

Pediatric Hematology Oncology Journal ◽

10.1016/j.phoj.2018.10.003 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. 99-101 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Lorna Awo Renner ◽

Catherine Segbefia ◽

Emmanuel Amankwah

Keyword(s):

Childhood Cancer ◽

Cancer Care ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Low Middle Income Countries ◽

Using Data

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Access to WHO Essential Medicines for Childhood Cancer Care in Trinidad and Tobago: A Health System Analysis of Barriers and Enablers

JCO Global Oncology ◽

10.1200/jgo.19.00300 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 67-79 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Brandon Tang ◽

Curt Bodkyn ◽

Sumit Gupta ◽

Avram Denburg

Keyword(s):

Trinidad And Tobago ◽

Childhood Cancer ◽

Cancer Care ◽

System Analysis ◽

Essential Medicines ◽

Middle Income ◽

Essential Medicines List ◽

Mixed Methods Case Study ◽

Relevant Evidence ◽

Context Specific

PURPOSE Improving access to essential medicines is necessary to reduce global mortality resulting from childhood cancer. However, there is a lack of context-specific data in many low- to middle-income countries on the determinants of access to essential childhood cancer medicines. We conducted a mixed-methods case study of the barriers to and enablers of access to WHO essential medicines for childhood cancer care in Trinidad and Tobago, in response to domestic calls for policy attention and reform. METHODS We interviewed stakeholders (N = 9) across the pharmaceutical supply system using a novel analytic framework and qualitative interview guide. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed with constant comparative methods to capture emergent themes. Quantitatively, we examined alignment of the national essential medicines list with the 2017 WHO Essential Medicines List for Children (EMLc). National buyer prices for EMLc cancer medicines were compared with median international prices, with calculation of median price ratios to assess procurement efficiency. RESULTS Principal barriers identified included a lack of data-driven procurement, low supplier incentive to engage in tenders, reactive rather than proactive processes in response to stockouts, and siloed information systems. Recurring themes of regionalization, standardization, and proactivity emerged as priorities for policy reform. Quantitative analysis of the national essential medicines list and median price ratios for procured medicines aligned with findings reported qualitatively. CONCLUSION Our study contributes to global efforts to improve childhood cancer care by identifying policy-relevant evidence on access to essential childhood cancer medicines and providing a model for future studies in other jurisdictions.

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My child matters program: A UICC-sanofi-aventis partnership to improve pediatric cancer care in developing countries

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2007.25.18_suppl.9526 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽

pp. 9526-9526 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

R. C. Ribeiro ◽

T. Eden ◽

J. Hartford ◽

J. Lemerle ◽

I. Magrath ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Developing Countries ◽

Access To Care ◽

Childhood Cancer ◽

Low Income ◽

Professional Education ◽

Cancer Care ◽

Developed Countries ◽

Political Support ◽

Outcome Analysis ◽

Children With Cancer

9526 Background: Despite dramatic advances in curing childhood cancer in developed countries, most children with cancer live in low-income countries, where misdiagnosis, late diagnosis, lack of access to treatment and abandonment of treatment hinder progress. Methods: In 2004 the International Union against Cancer and sanofi-aventis initiated a campaign to improve childhood cancer care in developing countries through grants for local projects (up to 50,000 euros/year each), a survey of childhood cancer care (conducted by the public health consulting firm Sanisphere), and lobbying to increase political support. The projects focus on professional education, improved access to care, pain management, and psychosocial/educational support. Results: During 2006, 14 pilot projects in Bangladesh, Egypt, Honduras, Morocco, Philippines, Senegal, Tanzania, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Vietnam were selected on the basis of feasibility, expected benefit, sustainability, and potential to serve as models. Only eight countries had pediatric hematology/oncology units, ranging from 20 (Tanzania) to 350 (Egypt) beds. These units manage 100 (Senegal) to 1,000 (Bangladesh) children with cancer per year (a small fraction of actual cases in these countries). One-year outcome analysis showed that various short-term objectives were met, including improved patient care infrastructure, public and professional education, earlier detection, improved access to care, the introduction of psychosocial support, decreased abandonment and better follow up. On the basis of these results, 12 additional projects have been funded in Bolivia, Indonesia, Kenya, Mali, Peru and Romania. Conclusions: Relatively small investments, accompanied by external mentoring, can help build sustainable capacity for the diagnosis and care of children with cancer in selected institutions in developing countries. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

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Assessment of language needs and resource use among Canadian immigrant patients with cancer.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2018.36.30_suppl.77 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 36 (30_suppl) ◽

pp. 77-77

Author(s):

Sophia Liu ◽

Elliot Charles Smith ◽

Alexandra McCartney ◽

Amedra Basgaran ◽

Karmugi Balaratnam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cancer Care ◽

Service Use ◽

Healthcare Delivery ◽

Foreign Born ◽

Language Resources ◽

Post Secondary ◽

Adult Cancer Survivors ◽

Communication Difficulties ◽

Language Needs ◽

Translation Service

77 Background: Canada's foreign-born population is estimated to reach up to 30% by 2036. Immigrants diagnosed with cancer can face poorer cancer outcomes compared to non-immigrants due to language barriers affecting physician-patient communication and non-equivalent interpretation by untrained translators. Reducing this disparity is a growing challenge due to continued high immigration rates. As Canadian data is lacking, we explored the language needs and resource utilization of Canadian cancer patients. Methods: Adult cancer survivors from Princess Margaret Cancer Centre were surveyed in English on their socio-demographics, perceived communication difficulties, and interpreter use. Results: Of 470 patients, 45% were foreign-born; 37% self-identified as immigrants; 78% spoke mostly English at home. Among self-identified immigrants, median age at diagnosis was 60 years, 46% were female, and 59% completed post-secondary education. Top three countries of origin were China (23%), India (10%), and Italy (9%). Although 73% of immigrants reported English as their most comfortable language in which to receive healthcare information, 18% reported difficulties communicating with the doctor in English at a few visits or more, 14% indicated some discomfort communicating with their oncologist in English, and 4% of immigrants felt their cancer care was affected by a language barrier. Twenty-six percent of immigrants required interpretation, with 91% employing family, 7% utilizing professional interpreters, and only 19% have ever used the institutional language services. Conclusions: Although most immigrants identify English as their most comfortable language for healthcare delivery, some still experience communication difficulties with their oncologist during at least a few visits. However, most patients felt comfortable communicating with their oncologists and do not feel their cancer care is affected. Most relied on family members to interpret, while local hospital language resources were largely underutilized. Strategies for promoting professional translation service use may help improve immigrants’ experience, caregivers’ burden, and enhance physicians’ ability to counsel patients directly.

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