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UBC Theses and Dissertations
An exploration of South Asian women’s experiences following abnormal Pap smear results Singh, Savitri W.
Abstract
Little information exists about South Asian women's experiences following abnormal cervical screening results particularly within the context of current health care services and structures, and regarding their perceptions of the adequacy of the information, counseling and support provided. This ethnographic study approached this problem by examining South Asian women's descriptions of their experiences of receiving abnormal Pap test results and of their follow-up diagnostic evaluations. Twelve women, five nurses, and six physicians from two colposcopy clinic participated in the study. Two family physicians from family practice were also included. Data was collected via audio-taped open-ended interviews and journaling. Data analysis proceeded simultaneously with the data collection. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed for common themes. Obvious issues such as language, cultural values, and beliefs, along with underlying societal, individual and institutional factors that co-exist with health care providers' ability to effectively communicate were described by the participants. Some women believed that healthcare providers hold assumptions that stereotype South Asian women. Although some health-care providers attempt to provide culturally sensitive care including the use of professional interpreters and language-specific printed information for women who do not speak English, others lack the resources to provide such care. In light of these findings, educational approaches are recommended for nurses and physicians that help to raise critical consciousness and foster awareness including the need to pay close attention to diversity and difference. Basic and continuing education that address the importance of individual assessments would enhance nurses' ability to identify women's individual needs and would help to reduce reliance on stereotypical descriptors of ethno-cultural groups. Future research to examine discourses in relation to cancer and how language is used when notifying women about their diagnosis is also recommended.
Item Metadata
Title |
An exploration of South Asian women’s experiences following abnormal Pap smear results
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Creator | |
Publisher |
University of British Columbia
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Date Issued |
2002
|
Description |
Little information exists about South Asian women's experiences following abnormal
cervical screening results particularly within the context of current health care services and
structures, and regarding their perceptions of the adequacy of the information, counseling and
support provided. This ethnographic study approached this problem by examining South Asian
women's descriptions of their experiences of receiving abnormal Pap test results and of their
follow-up diagnostic evaluations.
Twelve women, five nurses, and six physicians from two colposcopy clinic participated
in the study. Two family physicians from family practice were also included. Data was collected
via audio-taped open-ended interviews and journaling. Data analysis proceeded simultaneously
with the data collection. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed for common themes.
Obvious issues such as language, cultural values, and beliefs, along with underlying
societal, individual and institutional factors that co-exist with health care providers' ability to
effectively communicate were described by the participants. Some women believed that healthcare
providers hold assumptions that stereotype South Asian women. Although some health-care
providers attempt to provide culturally sensitive care including the use of professional
interpreters and language-specific printed information for women who do not speak English,
others lack the resources to provide such care.
In light of these findings, educational approaches are recommended for nurses and
physicians that help to raise critical consciousness and foster awareness including the need to pay
close attention to diversity and difference. Basic and continuing education that address the
importance of individual assessments would enhance nurses' ability to identify women's
individual needs and would help to reduce reliance on stereotypical descriptors of ethno-cultural
groups. Future research to examine discourses in relation to cancer and how language is used
when notifying women about their diagnosis is also recommended.
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Extent |
4893841 bytes
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Genre | |
Type | |
File Format |
application/pdf
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Language |
eng
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Date Available |
2009-08-14
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Provider |
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
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Rights |
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.
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DOI |
10.14288/1.0090283
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URI | |
Degree | |
Program | |
Affiliation | |
Degree Grantor |
University of British Columbia
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Graduation Date |
2002-05
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Campus | |
Scholarly Level |
Graduate
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Aggregated Source Repository |
DSpace
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Item Media
Item Citations and Data
Rights
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.