Abstract
Spanish speakers in the United States encounter numerous communication barriers during cancer treatment. Communication-focused interventions may help Spanish speakers communicate better with healthcare providers and manage symptoms and quality of life issues (SQOL). For this study, we developed a Spanish version of the electronic self-report assessment for cancer (ESRA-C), a web-based program that helps people with cancer report, track, and manage cancer-related SQOL. Four methods were used to evaluate the Spanish version. Focus groups and cognitive interviews were conducted with 51 Spanish-speaking individuals to elicit feedback. Readability was assessed using the Fry readability formula. The cultural sensitivity assessment tool was applied by three bilingual, bicultural reviewers. Revisions were made to personalize the introduction using a patient story and photos and to simplify language. Focus group participants endorsed changes to the program in a second round of focus groups. Cultural sensitivity of the program was scored unacceptable () for audiovisual material and acceptable () for written material. Fry reading levels ranged from 4th to 10th grade. Findings from this study provide several next steps to refine ESRA-C for Spanish speakers with cancer.
Highlights
Hispanics are the fastest growing minority group in the United States (US), currently comprising over 15% of the total population [1]
Following revisions to electronic self-report assessment for cancer (ESRA-C), two groups were reconvened in Boston and a new group was convened in Tampa
Sharing information about cancer experiences with others via social media was described as a way to help others who may be going through similar experiences
Summary
Hispanics are the fastest growing minority group in the United States (US), currently comprising over 15% of the total population [1]. 38% of Hispanics in the United States are Spanish-language dominant and another 38% are bilingual [2]. Hispanics are a diverse group with respect to socioeconomic characteristics, level of acculturation, national origin, and heritage. These factors have all been linked to cancer [3, 4] and other health outcomes [5,6,7,8,9]. Spanish-language dominant individuals face barriers to communicating with healthcare providers and have less access to Spanish information, both in print and on the Internet, than do English-speaking patients [11]
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