Protecting Family Interests: An Interview Study with Foreign-Born Parents Struggling On in Childhood Cancer Care

Abstract

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.

Facading in transcultural interactions: examples from pediatric cancer care in Sweden

“…The care situation of families with a foreign background was explored from different perspectives, using broad research questions (Table ). Data were collected through focus group and individual interviews with health care professionals and individual interviews with registered nurses and foreign‐born parents in pediatric cancer care (Table ). Field notes were taken, and interviews were audio recorded and transcribed.…”

“…Data were analyzed using the constant comparative method of grounded theory . Full presentations of methods are provided in the articles …”

Towards culturally competent paediatric oncology care. A qualitative study from the perspective of care providers

“…Several studies in paediatric cancer care have found that this is more difficult when language and cultural differences hamper the contact between care providers and ethnic minority parents of a child with cancer (Abbe, Simon, Angiolillo, Ruccione, & Kodish, 2006;Davies, Contro, Larson, & Widger, 2010;Gulati et al, 2012;Pergert, Ekblad, Enskär, & Björk, 2007). For example, parents of children with cancer, who did not speak the language of their care provider, often did not receive sufficient information, only received basic information without further explanation, got fewer assurances, and had less acknowledgement of their emotions and concerns, in comparison to parents who spoke the language of their care provider (Davies et al, 2010;Gulati et al, 2012).…”

“…Cultural competence is the set of knowledge, attitudes and practical skills needed to properly deal with patients and families belonging to different cultures (Seeleman, Suurmond, & Stronks, 2009;Surbone, 2010). It is seen as a means to ensure that needs and wishes of ethnic minority parents of children with cancer are acknowledged and taken into account (Kagawa-Singer et al, 2010;Munet-Vilaro, 2004;Pergert, Ekblad, Enskär, & Björk, 2008;Pergert et al, 2007). Culturally competent care is generally seen as a key to reduce ethnic health disparities (Anderson, Scrimshaw, Fullilove, Fielding, & Normand, 2003;Betancourt, Green, Carrillo, & Ananeh-Firempong, 2003;Brach & Fraserirector, 2000;Renzaho, Romios, Crock, & Sønderlund, 2013).…”

“…While other studies have focused on exploring issues that paediatric cancer care providers are aware of (Davies et al, 2010;Pergert et al, 2007Pergert et al, , 2008, we also tried to explore issues that care providers are unaware of. The gained insights can help to define learning objectives for training in culturally competent paediatric care.…”