Cultural Competency - Multicultural Health Generalizations: Polish
Polish Women and Breast Cancer
A study conducted by the National Breast Cancer Center in 1997 explored Polish women's needs of support and information regarding breast cancer. Women with and without breast cancer were participants in the study. Issues such as options for support and information strategies were researched. Polish women without breast cancer felt that women would be more in control after a diagnosis if they had access to information in Polish about all aspects relating to the disease (diagnosis, tests, surgery, recovery, and follow-up care). They also expressed the importance of being encouraged by other Polish women with experience of breast cancer, as another option for support. Support for Polish women with cancer, however, was most likely to come from friends and family. Some information strategies supported by Polish women with breast cancer included the importance of written information in Polish and timing of reading this information. Many Polish women believe materials in Polish should be provided and personal contact in information provision should also be included. Women noted that having written information in Polish during times of stress, even for those who could read English, would be more comfortable to read since Polish is their first language. Timing of reading this information, also part of the information strategy, was important because many women in the study were not ready to immediately read about breast cancer in detail following their diagnosis. In sum, learning about Polish women's needs for support and information can promote health care providers' awareness, thus promoting measures for more effective treatments.
Source: Brushin, B., González, M., and Payne, R. (1997). Exploring cultural attitudes to breast cancer:
Towards the development of culturally appropriate information resources for women from Greek, Italian, Arabic and Polish speaking backgrounds: executive summary. (Online). National Breast Cancer Center. http://www.nbcc.org.au/pages/info/resource/nbccpubs/cultatt/execsumm.htm (disabled) (2002, Jul. 1)
Redirected to: http://www.nbcc.org.au/bestpractice/resources/CA1_culturalissues.pdf
Polish-Americans: Healthcare-seeking Practices
Many Polish-American patients often seek self-help groups before seeing a healthcare provider. When a healthcare provider is contacted, a family physician might be preferred over a specialist (Fandetti & Gelfand, 1977, as cited in Purnell & Paulanka, 1998). Some Polish-Americans only go to healthcare providers when their symptoms begin to interfere with their lifestyle, and then might still carefully consider the healthcare provider's advice before complying (Kolarska-Bobinska, 1989, as cited in Purnell & Paulanka, 1998). Such patients might also look to other family members and the community to assess the appropriateness of the treatments advised. However, other patients may just accept the treatment plan and follow as requested, choosing not to discuss their options and concerns with their healthcare provider. When it comes to mental illness, some Polish-American patients might look for a physical cause of disease before considering a mental disorder. If mental health problems do exist, home visits are preferred instead of clinic visits, and talk therapy with psychosocial and action-oriented interventions could be preferred. (McGoldrick, Pearce, & Giordano, 1982, as cited in Purnell & Paulanka, 1998). Overall, becoming aware of others' cultural health generalizations can be helpful in understanding different health practices.
Source: Purnell, L. D., and Paulanka, B. J. (1998). Transcultural health care: A culturally competent approach. Philadelphia: F. A. Davis Company.
