Improving Indigenous access to cancer screening and treatment services: descriptive findings and a preliminary report on the Midwest Indigenous Women’s Cancer Support Group

Finn, Lisabeth D; Pepper, Annette; Gregory, Pauline; Thompson, Sandra

doi:10.4066/amj.2008.31

Cited by 12 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…This paper describes the research approach and methods of a study exploring Aboriginal Australian beliefs and experiences around cancer and cancer services in WA (results are reported elsewhere[25]. The researchers considered and were respectful of key steps of conducting Indigenous research.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploration of the beliefs and experiences of Aboriginal people with cancer in Western Australia: a methodology to acknowledge cultural difference and build understanding

Shahid

Bessarab

Howat

et al. 2009

BMC Med Res Methodol

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BackgroundAboriginal Australians experience poorer outcomes, and are 2.5 times more likely to die from cancer than non-Aboriginal people, even after adjustment for stage of diagnosis, cancer treatment and comorbidities. They are also less likely to present early as a result of symptoms and to access treatment. Psycho-social factors affect Aboriginal people's willingness and ability to participate in cancer-related screening and treatment services, but little exploration of this has occurred within Australia to date. The current research adopted a phenomenological qualitative approach to understand and explore the lived experiences of Aboriginal Australians with cancer and their beliefs and understanding around this disease in Western Australia (WA). This paper details considerations in the design and process of conducting the research.Methods/DesignThe National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) guidelines for ethical conduct of Aboriginal research were followed. Researchers acknowledged the past negative experiences of Aboriginal people with research and were keen to build trust and relationships prior to conducting research with them. Thirty in-depth interviews with Aboriginal people affected by cancer and twenty with health service providers were carried out in urban, rural and remote areas of WA. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and coded independently by two researchers. NVivo7 software was used to assist data management and analysis. Participants' narratives were divided into broad categories to allow identification of key themes and discussed by the research team.Discussion and conclusionKey issues specific to Aboriginal research include the need for the research process to be relationship-based, respectful, culturally appropriate and inclusive of Aboriginal people. Researchers are accountable to both participants and the wider community for reporting their findings and for research translation so that the research outcomes benefit the Aboriginal community. There are a number of factors that influence whether the desired level of engagement can be achieved in practice. These include the level of resourcing for the project and the researchers' efforts to ensure dissemination and research translation; and the capacity of the Aboriginal community to engage with research given other demands upon their time.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploration of the beliefs and experiences of Aboriginal people with cancer in Western Australia: a methodology to acknowledge cultural difference and build understanding

Shahid

Bessarab

Howat

et al. 2009

BMC Med Res Methodol

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“…Healthcare providers should take these factors into account when developing treatment plans to promote greater treatment adherence and overall patient wellbeing. The Indigenous Women's Cancer Support Group described by Finn and colleagues shows the potential of Indigenous‐led support approaches 33 Healthcare providers should make an effort to elicit explanatory models for cancer and to learn about the belief system by which the Indigenous patient understands the world.…”

Section: Guidelines For Healthcare Providersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Guidelines For Healthcare Providersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Indigenous beliefs about biomedical and bush medicine treatment efficacy for indigenous cancer patients: a review of the literature

Schaik

Thompson²

2012

Internal Medicine Journal

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“…Only one paper reporting preliminary descriptive results on the evaluation of an Aboriginal cancer peer‐support group was found in the literature (Finn et al . ). Here, we present results from an in‐depth analysis using qualitative data from the same study (Finn et al .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Here, we present results from an in‐depth analysis using qualitative data from the same study (Finn et al . ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

‘Connecting tracks’: exploring the roles of an Aboriginal women's cancer support network

Cuesta-Briand

Bessarab

Shahid

et al. 2015

Health Soc Care Community

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Aboriginal Australians are at higher risk of developing certain types of cancer and, once diagnosed, they have poorer outcomes than their non-Aboriginal counterparts. Lower access to cancer screening programmes, deficiencies in treatment and cultural barriers contribute to poor outcomes. Additional logistical factors affecting those living in rural areas compound these barriers. Cancer support groups have positive effects on people affected by cancer; however, there is limited evidence on peer-support programmes for Aboriginal cancer patients in Australia. This paper explores the roles played by an Aboriginal women's cancer support network operating in a regional town in Western Australia. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 24 participants including Aboriginal and mainstream healthcare service providers, and network members and clients. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were subjected to inductive thematic analysis. Connecting and linking people and services was perceived as the main role of the network. This role had four distinct domains: (i) facilitating access to cancer services; (ii) fostering social interaction; (iii) providing a culturally safe space; and (iv) building relationships with other agencies. Other network roles included providing emotional and practical support, delivering health education and facilitating engagement in cancer screening initiatives. Despite the network's achievements, unresolved tensions around role definition negatively impacted on the working relationship between the network and mainstream service providers, and posed a threat to the network's sustainability. Different perspectives need to be acknowledged and addressed in order to build strong, effective partnerships between service providers and Aboriginal communities. Valuing and honouring the Aboriginal approaches and expertise, and adopting an intercultural approach are suggested as necessary to the way forward.

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Improving Indigenous access to cancer screening and treatment services: descriptive findings and a preliminary report on the Midwest Indigenous Women’s Cancer Support Group

Cited by 12 publications

References 11 publications

Exploration of the beliefs and experiences of Aboriginal people with cancer in Western Australia: a methodology to acknowledge cultural difference and build understanding

Exploration of the beliefs and experiences of Aboriginal people with cancer in Western Australia: a methodology to acknowledge cultural difference and build understanding

Indigenous beliefs about biomedical and bush medicine treatment efficacy for indigenous cancer patients: a review of the literature

‘Connecting tracks’: exploring the roles of an Aboriginal women's cancer support network

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