Perspectives of Belgian Oncology Health Workers on Caring for Patients of Non-Western Descent

This study was undertaken to gain insight in the views and experiences of Belgian oncology healthcare providers in caring for patients of non-Western descent.

Methode

Qualitative data were collected through five focus group interviews, with 23 oncology health workers as participants.

Resultaten

Barriers and difficulties were paramount in the provision of care to patients of non-Western descent. Participants want to act according to their professional standards, which call for treating all patients equally and providing appropriate care. However ‘cure’ takes precedence over ‘care’ when participants were not willing or not fully able to overcome barriers. This results in feelings of inadequacy in those participants who equate professional standards to care of equal quality. Participants who interpreted their professional standard as equivalent care were irritated by ‘these’ patients who restrained them from providing appropriate care.

Conclusie

The findings indicate that professional standards provide protection against possible discrimination that may result from personal beliefs. Extending professional standards from ‘treating all patients equally’ to ‘care attuned to each patient’ might be a way to prevent ‘cure’ taking precedence over ‘care’.

Auteurs

Ineke van Eechoud; dienst patientenbegeleiding, UZ Gent

Mieke Grypdonck; Universitair Centrum voor Verpleegkunde en Vroedkunde, Universiteit Gent

Johan Leman; KU Leuven, 'Centrum Interculturalisatie, Migratie en Minderheden'

Sofie Verhaeghe: Universitair Centrum voor Verpleegkunde en Vroedkunde, Universiteit Gent