What services are available for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) patients in the cancer survivorship setting? An Australian study.

Purpose: People of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds face disparities in cancer care. This study aimed to explore CALD-specific Cancer Survivorship (CS) resources and supports in Australian oncology centres.

Methods: This was an interview-based, qualitative study. Oncology professionals were interviewed using a questionnaire exploring demographics, available resources and referral patterns, and factors influencing CALD CS care. Purposive sampling was used to ensure representation across states and remoteness areas. Contextual survey data were analysed with descriptive statistics, and interviews were recorded and transcribed for thematic analysis.

Results: Twenty-two interviews from 15 institutions across 6 Australian states were conducted from May to August 2023. Six (40%) centres reported seeing > 25% CALD patients. Six (40%) centres reported having dedicated CS services dichotomised into clinic-based or needs-based services. Ten (67%) centres reported having CALD-specific resources/supports for oncology patients, and three (20%) had CS-specific services. Four themes were identified: patient-clinician interface; in-language resources with a focus on cultural relevance; structural and logistical considerations, particularly interpreter services, workflow management and models of care; and education and collaboration between healthcare professionals and survivors, carers and community leaders.

Conclusions: Cancer survivors from CALD backgrounds face unique challenges in receiving optimal care, with limited availability of CALD-specific resources in Australian cancer centres. Future work should utilise a tailored and collaborative approach to optimise cultural relevance and service engagement.