Cultural Orientation and Information Framing: A Theoretical Approach for Enhanced Cancer Treatment

摘要

This study examines the process of information framing in the introduction of medical alternatives to patients within disparate ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Based on Systems Theory, this research considers how healthcare providers can deliver critical information strategically, that factors-in sociocultural backgrounds and learning styles. While assisting within a privately-owned hospital setting with cancer survivors, clients' communication styles and treatment challenges were ascertained. Over a two-year period, outreach policies that reflect the holistic conditions of the clientele were developed. Overall, information framing affects client decisions, enhances dyadic communications, and leads to improved medical solutions. When providing treatment programs to temporary cancer survivors, information delivery utilizing a synthesis of cultural theoretical perspectives introduced by Hall and Hall (1987), Hofstede (1991), and Kluckhohn and Strodtbeck (1961) helps facilitate more effective treatment decisions and enriches physician-client relationships. Among the variables of highest strategic importance are context, human-nature, man-nature relationship, face, and guilt versus shame. Principal examples demonstrate interrelationship between information framing and cultural factors. For instance, high-context clients tend to benefit from more verbal and visual depictions, as well as enhanced interactions with multi-hospital-stakeholders to make optimal decisions. Additionally, information regarding treatments, as well as drug access and affordability, should be introduced early within the process and as a highly salient attribute among face, high-context, and lower-socio economic clientele. Overall, it is critical that healthcare stakeholders are provided with information based upon cultural backgrounds. Corresponding materials were developed throughout the study that reflect different learning styles and cultural backgrounds.