Active not recruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Impact of Cultural and Linguistic Backgrounds on Patient Care and Experience of Women With Gynecologic Malignancies

This study aims to understand how different cultural backgrounds and languages impact the care that women with gynaecological cancer receive. It's collecting information from patients, interpreters, and healthcare professionals involved in their care. The researchers want to find out about their experiences and any problems that might get in the way of providing the best possible support. By using questionnaires, they hope to identify challenges and improve care for women from diverse backgrounds living with gynaecological cancers.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Sponsor

University Health Network, Toronto

Enrolment target

Start

15 Mar 2022

Estimated completion

01 Dec 2026

Gynecologic Cancer

What is this study about?

This important study is looking into how a person's cultural background and the language they speak can affect the medical care and overall experience of women who have gynaecological cancer. In places like Toronto, where this study is happening, many people speak languages other than English at home. Sometimes, communities with different language and cultural backgrounds also face challenges like lower income, which can affect their understanding of health information and how they use healthcare services. These factors can unfortunately lead to worse health outcomes.

Previous research has shown that patients from diverse backgrounds sometimes spend more time in hospital or are readmitted more often, especially if they have long-term conditions. This might be because medical conversations can be very complex, involve many steps, and need clear communication. When there's a language barrier, it can make it harder for patients to understand everything and for doctors to explain things clearly, which could lead to misunderstandings.

To understand this better, the study is giving questionnaires to three different groups: women with gynaecological cancer, interpreters who help with medical conversations, and the healthcare staff who look after these patients. By gathering insights from all these perspectives, the researchers hope to identify specific challenges and find ways to improve communication and care for all women with gynaecological cancer, making sure everyone receives the best support possible.

Key takeaways

The study explores how language and culture affect care for women with gynaecological cancer.
It aims to improve communication and support for diverse patient groups.
Participants include patients, interpreters, and healthcare professionals.
Patient involvement is through completing a single questionnaire.
Your insights can help make a real difference in future patient care.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for a few different groups of people. For "patients," they are seeking women aged 18 or older who are currently being treated for gynaecological cancer at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and are still having regular follow-up appointments there. A key part of this study is that these patients must speak a language other than English as their main language, and that language needs to be one the study has translated its questionnaires into.

Patients also need to be well enough to complete a questionnaire on their own and have a life expectancy of more than three months. It's also important that they are willing and able to give their written permission to take part, with help from a professional interpreter if needed. If someone can't fill out the questionnaire independently, perhaps needing help from family or friends, they wouldn't be able to join.

The study is also including "interpreters" who have worked professionally in medical settings for at least three months, especially in cancer or palliative care. Lastly, "cancer care professionals" like cancer doctors, nurses, social workers, dietitians, and others who regularly care for patients from diverse cultural and language backgrounds in gynaecology or palliative care clinics are also invited to take part.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Are you currently receiving treatment or follow-up for gynaecological cancer at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre?
Is your main spoken or written language something other than English?
Are you able to fill out a questionnaire on your own?
Do you have a life expectancy of more than three months?
Are you willing to give written permission to take part?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, your involvement would be quite straightforward. You would be asked to complete a questionnaire. This questionnaire is designed to gather information about your attitudes and experiences related to your care. You would complete this questionnaire in your preferred written language. The study does not involve any additional medical procedures, visits, or medications. It's focused solely on collecting your experiences through the questionnaire. The total time commitment for you would just be the time it takes to fill out the questionnaire.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study offers the potential benefit of helping researchers understand and improve care for women with gynaecological cancer, especially those from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Your experiences could directly help shape better communication and support strategies in the future. The main risk involved is that completing the questionnaire might take some of your time or bring up some difficult feelings about your past experiences. However, you have the absolute right to stop participating at any point, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
Verified postcode
Toronto, Canada

Common questions

What kind of cancer is this study about?

This study is focused on women with gynaecological cancers, which are cancers that start in a woman's reproductive organs.

Do I need to speak English to join the study?

No, quite the opposite! This study is specifically looking for people whose main spoken or written language is *not* English.

What will I have to do if I take part?

You'll fill out a questionnaire in your preferred language. That's all that's asked of patients in this study.

Will my answers be kept private?

Yes, all your answers will be kept confidential and personal details will be protected.

Will taking part change my cancer treatment?

No, taking part in this study will not change your current cancer treatment or care in any way.