The efficacy of bilingual health advocacy in ethnic minority patients with cancer

Abstract

This research aims to establish the efficacy of introducing trained bilingual health advocates to non-English speaking cancer patients. Male and female Bengali advocates received appropriate training. They were then given a group of patients to manage, while a control group received no such intervention. Outcomes were determined at the baseline and after three months. The study finally concludes in April 2000. The progress so far shows that the advocates had only recruited half of the expected number of Bengali cancer patients. Focus groups showed, however, that healthcare professionals felt that their training was inadequate to overcome the language and cultural barriers, and many were distressed that they were not meeting the needs of minority ethnic patients. The authors anticipate that this study will concur with research in other health sectors where bilingual health advocacy has been beneficial, and that future care will be better informed as a result.