Approaches to Shared Decision-Making for the Oncology Team: Webinar Series-Building Trust with Patients: Importance of Cultural Competence in Cancer Care Delivery

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This webinar, part of ACCC’s six-part series on shared decision-making, focused on building trust with patients through cultural competence in cancer care. Speakers Nadine Barrett, PhD, and Rebecca Kirch, JD, explained that trust is shaped by many factors beyond the clinic, including race, ethnicity, language, culture, social determinants of health, historical injustice, systemic racism, and power dynamics in medical encounters.<br /><br />Dr. Barrett emphasized that health disparities exist across cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment, clinical trials, survivorship, and end-of-life care, and that they occur in many settings, not just underserved clinics. She highlighted the importance of culturally sensitive environments, implicit bias awareness, and resources such as the Implicit Association Test and Duke’s diversity tools. She also stressed that shared decision-making must include patients’ values, preferences, and lived experiences.<br /><br />Rebecca Kirch focused on person-centered care, communication, and the importance of clinicians trusting patients and caregivers. She noted that pandemic-related stress and financial toxicity make empathy and clear communication even more essential. She shared resources such as VitalTalk, Patient Advocate Foundation tools, and tip sheets to help patients prepare for visits. She also underscored that asking patients what matters most at the beginning of a visit can save time and improve care.<br /><br />In the Q&A, the speakers discussed practical ways to support patients with financial distress, including navigation programs, social work, community resources, and financial advocacy networks. They concluded that culturally sensitive, trust-building conversations are not a luxury but a core part of high-quality oncology care.

Asset Caption

Nadine Barrett, PhD, MA, MS
Director, Office of Health Equity and Disparities
Duke Cancer Institute
Director, Duke Community Connections Core
Duke CTSA, Durham, NC

Rebecca Kirch, JD
Executive Vice President for Healthcare Quality and Value
National Patient Advocate Foundation, Washington, DC

We will explore cultural factors in patient decision-making, including attitudes around health system trust and engagement. Experts will share strategies for considering culture in health education messaging and increasing cultural competence of care team members.

Keywords

shared decision-making

cultural competence

cancer care

patient trust

health disparities

implicit bias

person-centered care

communication

financial toxicity

oncology care