Understanding the supportive care needs of Hispanic men’s cancer survivors
Advances in medicine have made significant results, hence, a pressing issue in today’s clinical environment is finding the best ways to sustain therapy and recovery after surgery. This article conducts a qualitative study focused on discovering the requests that need to be met for a Hispanic cohort of male patients who have undergone cancer therapy surgery. The authors of the paper recognize that the Hispanic cohort is the leader among all ethnic groups in the context of population growth rates: this effect has a downside, namely the spread of chronic disease cases. The need for a qualitative assessment is dictated, according to the authors, by the paucity of useful information about the needs of such patients.
The paper used semi-structured interview techniques in which eighteen cancer participants described their care needs. Five inclusion criteria were used to randomize the data, including ethnicity and age combined with medical characteristics. Data analysis was conducted using transcription and focus group methods. The findings indicate that Hispanic male patients need a more personalized approach that is culturally responsive to Hispanics, including overcoming language barriers. In addition, the men expressed the need to support their therapy through communication with other patients. Finally, Hispanic patients wanted nurses to provide more helpful information about cancer treatment, including the unintended consequences associated with impotence, for example.
Hispanic male cancer survivors’ coping strategies
Strategies for getting back on track after cancer surgery vary widely depending on patients’ cultural and ethnic backgrounds. In this article, the authors decided to measure the main techniques used by Spanish-speaking patients qualitatively. The researchers are convinced that the diagnosis of cancer, as well as the subsequent management of cancer, has a direct impact on an individual’s worldview, and therefore measurement has the potential to demonstrate the cognitive effects of cancer. In addition, the choice of a Hispanic cohort for the study was driven by the positive demographic dynamics of the group combined with the small number of available papers.
The article’s central method was the use of interviews with 114 Hispanic participants, chosen by coincidence with the inclusion criteria. All participants ranged in age from 30 to 75 years old, with most having no education above college level. Interviews were conducted through focus groups, cognitive interviews, and telephone surveys. Several statistically significant patterns were found. The majority of Hispanic patients interviewed use religion to give meaning to life with cancer. In addition, the role of humor and optimism combined with social support from family and loved ones was high. Spouses and immediate family members proved to be significant sources of care and emotional support for patients. Additionally, it is worth noting that some participants used changes in diet and physical activity as a way to fight cancer mentally.
Immigration stress and alcohol use severity among recently immigrated Hispanic adults: Examining moderating effects of gender, immigration status, and social support
The migration of Hispanics to the United States is a severe step, causing increased stress and pressure on migrants. This study’s authors were interested in the possible relationship between migration stress and alcohol dependence, detailing the Hispanic cohort by gender. The need for the study, according to the authors, was dictated by the paucity of information in this area. The researchers believe that establishing a possible link will make it possible to change migration policies to reduce the incidence of alcoholism.
In the paper, the authors showed that 37% of Hispanics in the United States are migrants, which means that the problem of alcohol addiction among them may have a pattern. Hierarchical multiple sampling methods were used to find the association by selecting 527 participants who matched five inclusion criteria: age, location, self-identity, immigration, and plans. Interviews with participants highlighted significant findings: migration stress was indeed a cause of alcoholism, but predominantly among men. The sample of Hispanic women did not show a statistically significant pattern of connection. According to the authors, the role of social support for migrants was also an important finding: support helps to mitigate the effects of stressors and thus reduce the prevalence of alcoholism.
References
Cano, M. A., Sánchez, M., Trepka, M. J., Dillon, F. R., Sheehan, D. M., Rojas, P.,… & De La Rosa, M. (2017). Immigration stress and alcohol use severity among recently immigrated Hispanic adults: Examining moderating effects of gender, immigration status, and social support. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 73(3), 294-307.
Martinez Tyson, D., Vázquez-Otero, C., Medina-Ramirez, P., Arriola, N. B., McMillan, S. C., & Gwede, C. K. (2017). Understanding the supportive care needs of Hispanic men cancer survivors. Ethnicity & Health, 22(1), 1-16.
Sommariva, S., Vázquez-Otero, C., Medina-Ramirez, P., Aguado Loi, C., Fross, M., Dias, E., & Martinez Tyson, D. (2019). Hispanic male cancer survivors’ coping strategies. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 41(2), 267-284.