Article Text
Abstract
Introduction Ethnic minorities in the Netherlands are expected to increasingly use oncological care. In this care setting many treatment decisions are appropriate for shared decision making (SDM). However, limited research is available on ethnic minority patients’ experiences with SDM in oncology. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to map the values that underlie the perspectives on and experiences with SDM of patients with cancer and their relatives with a Moroccan, Turkish, or Surinamese Hindustani background, and those of healthcare professionals (HCPs).
Methods We interviewed patients (n=22) diagnosed with various types of cancer in different stages of their treatment trajectory, relatives (n=11), and HCPs (n=14). During the interviews with patients and relatives timelines of the treatment trajectory were drawn. Currently, we are analyzing the data using reflexive thematic analysis (TA) through the lens of Schwartz’s value theory. We identify Schwartz values in the data and define them for the actors involved in SDM. We will analyze the relationship between the values and develop themes based on these value-relations.
Results We already identified eight of Schwartz’s values with their definitions for the SDM context: Achievement (knowledge, competencies, skills), Benevolence (support, wellbeing), Conformity (to another person, restrictions in treatment selection), Power (of HCP, patient, relative), Security (good relationship, trust), Self-Direction (autonomy, participation), Tradition (culture, religion, alternative medicine), Universalism (equality, deliberation, tailoring).
Discussion By mapping the underlying values of patients and relatives and those of HCPs we are able to compare their values and detect opportunities for SDM’s adaptation to the needs of ethnic minorities.
Conclusion(s) The value structures we will develop can contribute to the incorporation of the values of ethnic minorities into SDM and make SDM more inclusive.