Abstract
Introduction
Ethnic inequality in health is widely established worldwide and within the area of cancer, ethnic disparities persist across the entire cancer trajectory, including screening, time to diagnosis, treatment outcomes, survival rates, and rehabilitation.
In Denmark, ethnic minority status is identified as a factor that creates vulnerabilities in cancer rehabilitation especially among older migrants due to low socio-economic status, limited education, health literacy level, language barriers, and cultural differences.
This study explored older migrants’ experiences of their cancer trajectories and the rehabilitation practices that they and their caregivers engaged in. The aim was to identify the patients’ and caregivers’ rehabilitating resources and needs to inform the future development of targeted rehabilitation interventions.
Material and Methods
Qualitative interviews were conducted with 14 patients treated for various cancer types in Denmark. Patients were above 50 years old and originated from countries outside Denmark. Seven caregivers, mainly adult children, were also interviewed. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results
Patients’ rehabilitation resources included a wide range of strategies that were primarily practiced outside the established healthcare system and services. They included various forms of physical activity, dietary changes, psycho-social support, and spiritual coping and were supported in family and other social networks.
Barriers to rehabilitation were experienced at different levels. They included structural barriers in the health care system and society in general as well as in interpersonal relationships and collaboration with health care professionals and family and social networks.
Conclusions
The study identifies older migrants’ rehabilitation efforts and experienced barriers and sheds light on the dynamics that create ethnic inequality within cancer.
Ethnic inequality in health is widely established worldwide and within the area of cancer, ethnic disparities persist across the entire cancer trajectory, including screening, time to diagnosis, treatment outcomes, survival rates, and rehabilitation.
In Denmark, ethnic minority status is identified as a factor that creates vulnerabilities in cancer rehabilitation especially among older migrants due to low socio-economic status, limited education, health literacy level, language barriers, and cultural differences.
This study explored older migrants’ experiences of their cancer trajectories and the rehabilitation practices that they and their caregivers engaged in. The aim was to identify the patients’ and caregivers’ rehabilitating resources and needs to inform the future development of targeted rehabilitation interventions.
Material and Methods
Qualitative interviews were conducted with 14 patients treated for various cancer types in Denmark. Patients were above 50 years old and originated from countries outside Denmark. Seven caregivers, mainly adult children, were also interviewed. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results
Patients’ rehabilitation resources included a wide range of strategies that were primarily practiced outside the established healthcare system and services. They included various forms of physical activity, dietary changes, psycho-social support, and spiritual coping and were supported in family and other social networks.
Barriers to rehabilitation were experienced at different levels. They included structural barriers in the health care system and society in general as well as in interpersonal relationships and collaboration with health care professionals and family and social networks.
Conclusions
The study identifies older migrants’ rehabilitation efforts and experienced barriers and sheds light on the dynamics that create ethnic inequality within cancer.
Originalsprog | Engelsk |
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Publikationsdato | 29 aug. 2024 |
Status | Udgivet - 29 aug. 2024 |
Begivenhed | Danske Kræftforskningsdage - Odeon, Odensen, Danmark Varighed: 29 aug. 2024 → 30 aug. 2024 |
Konference
Konference | Danske Kræftforskningsdage |
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Lokation | Odeon |
Land/Område | Danmark |
By | Odensen |
Periode | 29/08/24 → 30/08/24 |
Emneord
- Sundhed, ernæring og livskvalitet
- etniske minoriteter
- kræftrehabilitering