Published in:
01-12-2012
Lessons Learned in Developing a Culturally Adapted Intervention for African-American Families Coping with Parental Cancer
Authors:
Maureen P. Davey, Karni Kissil, Laura Lynch, La-Rhonda Harmon, Nancy Hodgson
Published in:
Journal of Cancer Education
|
Issue 4/2012
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Abstract
Prior clinical research supports the effectiveness of cancer support groups for cancer patients and their families, yet African-American families continue to be underrepresented in cancer support groups and in cancer clinical research studies. In order to fill this gap, we developed and evaluated a culturally adapted family support group for African-American families coping with parental cancer. We encountered unexpected challenges in overcoming barriers to recruitment, partnering with oncology providers, and building trust with the African-American community and African-American families coping with parental cancer. We describe actions taken during the two phases of this study and lessons learned along the way about recruiting and engaging African-American families in cancer support group studies, partnering with oncology providers, networking with the African-American community, and the importance of demonstrating cultural sensitivity to overcome the understandable historical legacy of mistrust.