Psychological morbidity, unmet needs and patterns of care in culturally and linguistically diverse cancer patients in Au [ 2007 - 2008 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Phyllis Butow (Principal investigator) ,  A/Pr Michael Jefford ,  Maurice Eisenbruch ,  Prof Afaf Girgis ,  Prof David Goldstein
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Brief description Australia has one of the most culturally diverse populations in the world. There is evidence that cancer patients from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) groups have poorer outcomes. People from CALD backgrounds may experience difficulties within the Australian health system for a variety of reasons, including langauge barriers, a lack of knowledge of the healthcare system, differing beliefs and attitudes abouit illness and treatment, religious and spiritual differences, communication difficulties and social suffering. There is good evidence that English speaking cancer patients suffer high levels of anxiety and depression, and that their needs are not currently adequately met by the current system. Previous research in psycho-oncology has on the whole excluded patients from non-English speaking backgrounds due to a lack of resources and expertise to ensure scientific validity of results. This study aims to discover the prevalence of anxiety, depression, unmet needs and access to care in 1st generation Chinese, Arabic and Greek speaking cancer patients. This study will inform the development of appropriate interventions to reduce the burden of a cancer diagnosis on these groups.

Funding Amount $AUD 413,405.60

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant