Keywords

cancer communication, culture, informed consent

 

Authors

  1. Oliffe, John PhD
  2. Thorne, Sally PhD
  3. Hislop, T. Gregory MSc, MDCM
  4. Armstrong, Elizabeth-Anne MSN

Abstract

Patient and healthcare provider communication is vital in cancer care and aspects of the patients' experiences provide valuable insight to what constitutes effective cancer communication. In this article we describe the communication experiences of patients from nondominant cultures who accessed Canadian-based cancer services. The findings enabled us to thoughtfully reflect on Western ideals about autonomy and responsibility and their relationship to informed consent in the context of cancer communication.