Culturally responsive care delivery in oncology: The example of multiple myeloma Review


Authors: Blue, B.; Pierre, A.; Mikhael, J.
Review Title: Culturally responsive care delivery in oncology: The example of multiple myeloma
Abstract: Multiple myeloma (MM) represents ∼1% of all cancers and is the second most common hematologic malignancy worldwide. The incidence of MM is at least two times higher in Blacks/African Americans compared with their White counterparts, and Hispanics/Latinxs are among the youngest patients diagnosed with the disease. Recent advances in available treatments for MM have demonstrated significant improvement in survival outcomes; however, patients from non-White racial/ethnic groups clinically benefit less due to multiple factors including access to care, socioeconomic status, medical mistrust, underutilization of novel therapies, and exclusion from clinical trials. Health inequities in disease characteristics and risk factors based on race also contribute to inequities in outcomes. In this review, we highlight racial/ethnic factors as well as structural barriers attributed to variations in MM epidemiology and management. We focus on three populations—Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, and American Indian/Alaska Native—and review factors that healthcare professionals may consider when treating patients of color. We offer tangible advice for healthcare professionals on how to incorporate cultural humility into their practice by following the five key steps: establishing trust, respecting cultural diversity, undergoing cross-cultural training, counseling patients on appropriate available clinical trial options, and connecting patients to community resources. The outlined recommendations will help the medical community to better understand and apply the important concept of cultural humility into their practice to provide the best care for all their patients, regardless of race/ethnicity. © 2023 The Authors
Keywords: review; united states; clinical practice; multiple myeloma; practice guideline; oncology; cancer therapy; risk factor; patient care; medical education; health care personnel; health care system; staff training; cancer epidemiology; ethnic difference; racial disparity; race difference; health care delivery; patient counseling; ethnicity; socioeconomics; african american; delivery of health care; health disparity; race; community care; hispanic; american indian; health care disparity; clinical trial (topic); trust; society; transcultural care; cultural diversity; patient advocacy; humans; human; respect; black person; alaska native; cultural humility; hispanic or latino; diverse racial/ethnic group; inequity; community resource
Journal Title: Clinical Lymphoma, Myeloma and Leukemia
Volume: 23
Issue: 9
ISSN: 2152-2650
Publisher: Elsevier Inc.  
Date Published: 2023-09-01
Start Page: 651
End Page: 659
Language: English
DOI: 10.1016/j.clml.2023.05.005
PUBMED: 37290997
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Review -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Amy Elizabeth Pierre
    9 Pierre