| Title | Cultural barriers in oncology: Issues in obtaining medical informed consent from Japanese-American elders in Hawaii |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 1998 |
| Authors | Saldov, M, Kakai, H, McLaughlin, L, Thomas, A |
| Journal | Journal of Cross Cultural GerontologyJournal of Cross Cultural Gerontology |
| Volume | 13 |
| Pagination | 265-279 |
| ISBN Number | 0169-3816<br/>1573-0719 |
| Accession Number | Peer Reviewed Journal: 1999-13515-005 |
| Keywords | *Cross Cultural Treatment, *Health Personnel, *Informed Consent, *Japanese Cultural Groups, *Sociocultural Factors, Comprehension, Decision Making, Geriatric Patients, Gerontology [2860], Human Adulthood (18 yrs & older), influence of cultural & religious & practical factors on understanding of & delays in obtaining informed consent for treatment among elderly Japanese-American oncology patients, health professionals, Neoplasms, Oncology, Professional Psychological & Health Personnel Issues [3400], Religion, us |
| Abstract | In east-west cultural contexts, medical decision-making by elderly Japanese-American oncology patients is made complex by cultural differences from mainstream service providers. Cultural, religious, and practical factors thought to contribute to delays in obtaining informed consent (IC) for treatment in oncology from mentally competent Japanese-American elders in Hawaii were investigated in this study of 50 health care professionals at Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu. Circumstances under which Japanese-American elders sign IC documents without understanding them are also examined. Equal numbers of respondents (17, or 35%) reported delays and no delays in obtaining IC from Japanese elderly oncology patients. The remainder (31%) were not sure whether there had been delays. A substantial majority of respondents (69%) reported their impression that they had observed cases of Japanese elderly oncology patients signing without understanding IC documents. Recommendations are offered by the participants and researchers for improvements to the IC process. Implications of the findings and recommendations are discussed for health care practice with Japanese-American and other ethnic elderly patients in mainstream health care organizations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved). |
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