Albertans4HealthResearch.ca

Advancing Equitable Access to Cancer Care and Palliative Care with Racialized People with Advanced Cancer

 

Study 1: RES0060011 Increasing Access to Palliative Care for Advanced Cancer Patients from Racialized Communities of African and Latin American Descent

Study 2: RES0060854 Improving Equity and Wellness in Cancer Care with Racialized Advanced Cancer Patients of African and Latin American Descent

University of Alberta

 

Background

This is an opportunity to join a Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) that will inform and advise on a program of research that entails two research studies funded by the Canadian Cancer Society. As well, PFAC members will be invited to collaborate on various research project processes including co-designing interview guides, conducting peer-to-peer data collection (interviews and focus groups), data analysis and dissemination.

Study 1 aims to develop an ‘access to palliative care’ strategy through collaboration and partnership with advanced cancer patients, their families, and community members of African and Latin American descent.

Study 2 aims to delineate a patient-oriented pathway to improve equity and wellness in cancer care together with racialized advanced cancer patients of African and Latin American descent, their families, and communities

To ensure this research is meaningful, and that it reflects what matters most to families and communities, we will engage patients (including families and communities) as partners in the design of the strategy and follow their perspectives, guidance, and lived experiences in the planning and undertaking of these studies.

Studies in other countries show that people of African and Latin American descent are overrepresented in those with advanced cancer diagnosis, a significant cancer disparity. We know that social inequality contributes to cancer disparities, and we know that racialized communities in Canada experience inequality. Our study team also involves members from these communities with expertise doing research with these populations and a first-hand understanding of their sociocultural identities and our research work to date has focused on advanced cancer patients experiencing socioeconomic inequities. We have learned from their experiences that social disparities create delays and challenges in access to care in Canada.

In 2031, about one-third of the Canadian population will belong to a racialized community. A significant number of members from racialized communities will access cancer care in the course of their lives and require palliative care. These studies will assist us, with direction from the community, to take this knowledge to action as we take steps to lessen inequalities affecting advanced cancer patients of African and Latin American descent throughout their cancer care and palliative care trajectories. The studies will also assist us to explore, together with community members, approaches to improve equity and increase the health and wellness of racialized communities living with advanced cancer in Canada.

 

Roles and Responsibilities

We are seeking to engage patients, families, and community members of African and/or Latin American descent with lived experience of advanced cancer diagnosis to join our Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) and inform the development and design of our project(s). This group will meet monthly online at a date/time convenient to patient partners.

As well, we are hoping these patient partners will collaborate on as many of the research processes as they are interested and able including developing interview question guides, participant recruitment strategies and approaches, data collection (co-conducting peer-to-peer interviews, data analysis, dissemination, and other aspects of this project.  
Training and support will be offered.

 

Time Commitment

These projects anticipate starting almost immediately and continue for two years with possible opportunity to renew after two years. Patient and family advisory council members will be invited to join regular monthly meetings of approximately 1.5 hours long.

In addition, there will be opportunities to join working groups and collaborate on additional aspects of this project and others in this program of research.

 

Compensation/Reimbursement

Compensation is being offered for this opportunity as per AbSPORU guidelines. See link here.

Meetings will be held online so there are no parking, travel or other related expenses anticipated.

 

For more information or to apply please connect with

Anna Santos Salas

avs@ualberta.ca

780.492.3618