SOUTH ASIAN WOMEN S EXPERIENCES FOLLOWING ABNORMAL PAP SMEAR RESULTS

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.Little
information exists about 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.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. Although some health providers
attempt to provide culturally sensitive care
including the use of interpreters and
language-specific printed information for women who
do not speak English, others lack the resources to
provide such care.Obvious issues such as language,
cultural values, and beliefs, along with underlying
societal, individual and institutional factors that
co-exist with health providers ability to
effectively communicate were described by the
participants.

Autorentext

Savitri is a South Asian woman who loves teaching, nursing andresearch. Her passion for research in cancer care for vulnerablepopulations came from the loss of her mother who died at 49 ofbreast cancer. There are those who are caught between culturesand cannot voice their suffering because no one can understandthem - for them you give respect.

Klappentext

This ethnographic study approached this problem byexamining South Asian women's descriptions of theirexperiences of receiving abnormal Pap test resultsand of their follow-up diagnostic evaluations.Littleinformation exists about women's experiencesfollowing abnormal cervical screening resultsparticularly within the context of current healthcare services and structures, and regarding theirperceptions of the adequacy of the information,counseling and support provided.Obvious issues suchas language, cultural values, and beliefs, along withunderlying societal, individual and institutionalfactors that co-exist with health care providers'ability to effectively communicate were described bythe participants. Although some health providersattempt to provide culturally sensitive careincluding the use of interpreters andlanguage-specific printed information for women whodo not speak English, others lack the resources toprovide such care.Obvious issues such as language,cultural values, and beliefs, along with underlyingsocietal, individual and institutional factors thatco-exist with health providers' ability toeffectively communicate were described by theparticipants.