Beyond translation: Transcreation of a clinicians’ guide to structure discussions about health-related values with Latinx patients throughout cancer

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aimed to ensure accurate translation and cultural appropriateness of a guide designed to help oncology clinicians provide person-centered care to Spanish-speaking Latinx patients with cancer. MethodsInitial translation of a clinician-patient values discussion guide in open-ended question format (“Guide”) was pretested in interviews with 27 Spanish-speaking individuals, followed by national expert panel review. At three sites, semi-structured, in-depth, audio-recorded interviews in the participant’s preferred language (Spanish/English) were then conducted with Latinx patients receiving systemic treatment for a solid tumor malignancy and family joining them at clinic. ResultsInterviews of 43 patient/family participants representing diverse Latinx communities addressed the Guide’s understandability, acceptability, relevance and responsiveness. Rapid analysis of interviews contributed to cultural adaptation/transcreation of the Guide for a pilot interventional trial. ConclusionMoving beyond translation to transcreation can help promote inclusion, equity, and cultural sensitivity in oncologic care/communication. Practice implicationsClinicians now have a linguistically- and culturally-adapted guide including questions and prompts to help structure discussions in Spanish or English of health-related values with Latinx patients receiving oncologic care.