Today, most navigators are not only supporting and educating patients with cancer born here in the United States, but also patients who have migrated from other countries. These individuals speak different languages and, equally important, have different beliefs and values. It is very important to be familiar with these factors before engaging in a conversation with such a patient and their family members.
If your cancer center has an international office, visit them and learn from them the customs and beliefs that may impact a patient’s choice of treatments, interest in participating in decision-making about their treatment options, who you can and cannot talk to within the patient’s family (which frankly might even include not being able to speak directly with the patient yourself), and any other pertinent information that will be helpful to you.
