Indigenous Australians’ Experiences of Cancer Care: A Narrative Literature Review

Abstract

To provide the latest evidence for future research and practice, this study critically reviewed Indigenous peoples’ cancer care experiences in the Australian healthcare system from the patient’s point of view. After searching PubMed, CINAHL and Scopus databases, twenty-three qualitative studies were included in this review. The inductive approach was used for analysing qualitative data on cancer care experience in primary, tertiary and transitional care between systems. Three main themes were found in healthcare services from Indigenous cancer care experiences: communication, cultural safety, and access to services. Communication was an important theme for all healthcare systems, including language and literacy, understanding of cancer care pathways and hospital environment, and lack of information. Cultural safety was related to trust in the system, privacy, and racism. Access to health services was the main concern in transitional care between healthcare systems. While some challenges will need long-term and collective efforts, such as institutional racism as a downstream effect of colonisation, cultural training for healthcare providers and increasing the volume of the Indigenous workforce, such as Indigenous Liaison Officers or Indigenous Care Coordinators, could effectively address this inequity issue for Indigenous people with cancer in Australia in a timely manner.

Systematic review of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ experiences and supportive care needs associated with cancer

“…Previous reviews have found that cultural competency training for healthcare professionals can improve the health behaviours of their culturally diverse patients [ 103 ]. Cultural competency training, while not the only solution needed, is an important step in helping non-Indigenous healthcare professionals understand the intricacies of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ culture and how it can either help or hinder cancer care provision [ 30 , 104 ]. It should be acknowledged that the cultural competency of healthcare professionals is reliant on societal level actors or “owners of the system” as they determine funding and the importance that is placed on delivering the best possible care.…”

Kulay Kalingka, a national cohort study of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cancer experiences: a study protocol

“…The increased prevalence of, and mortality from cancer among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is largely due to socially driven increased prevalence of cancer risk factors 20. Additional upstream factors that affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cancer experiences include barriers to accessing cancer services such as screening and treatment 21 22…”

“… 20 Additional upstream factors that affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cancer experiences include barriers to accessing cancer services such as screening and treatment. 21 22 …”