From Unheard to Empowered: Utilizing Communication Accommodation Theory to Address Black Men's With Prostate Cancer Healthcare Preferences.
Dottington Fullwood, Elizabeth Fallon, Opeyemi Bolajoko, Justine Gunderson, Caleb O Ramirez-Rivera, Shannon Pressey, Kelly Nosbush, Mary Ellen Young, Janice Krieger, Gladys Asiedu, Folakemi T Odedina
Author Information
Dottington Fullwood: Cancer Prevention, Survivorship and Care Delivery (CPSCD) Research Program, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
Elizabeth Fallon: Department of Education, Mayo Clinic, College of Medicine and Science Rochester, Rochester, MN, USA.
Opeyemi Bolajoko: Cancer Prevention, Survivorship and Care Delivery (CPSCD) Research Program, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, Jacksonville, FL, USA. ORCID
Justine Gunderson: iCCaRE for Black Men Consortium, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
Caleb O Ramirez-Rivera: Cancer Prevention, Survivorship and Care Delivery (CPSCD) Research Program, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, Jacksonville, FL, USA. ORCID
Shannon Pressey: Cancer Prevention, Survivorship and Care Delivery (CPSCD) Research Program, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
Kelly Nosbush: Cancer Prevention, Survivorship and Care Delivery (CPSCD) Research Program, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
Mary Ellen Young: iCCaRE for Black Men Consortium, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA. ORCID
Janice Krieger: College of Medicine and Science, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
Gladys Asiedu: College of Medicine and Science, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
Folakemi T Odedina: Cancer Prevention, Survivorship and Care Delivery (CPSCD) Research Program, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
OBJECTIVES: Communication barriers, such as channels, comfort, and location, can negatively impact Black prostate cancer survivors' experiences and health outcomes after treatment. Addressing these barriers promotes a survivor-centric approach that views survivors as active partners in their care. This study explored the communication preferences of Black prostate cancer survivors, focusing on preferred channels, sources, and locations for enhanced quality of life. DESIGN: Using grounded theory methodology, we conducted engaged in-depth interviews with 7 Black prostate cancer survivors, centering on their post-treatment experiences. We analyzed participant transcripts to develop codes and themes. Communication accommodation theory (CAT) was applied to examine how survivors adapt their communication styles to navigate barriers and improve their quality of life. CAT helped identify key patterns of survivors' convergence and divergence in their communication with healthcare providers, crucial for developing survivor-centric communication strategies. RESULTS: The analysis revealed the importance of acknowledging cultural and racial perspectives in post-treatment survivorship. Themes extracted from the transcripts included communication barriers, preferences for information channels, and favored locations for sharing information. Survivors expressed a preference for a balance between face-to-face interaction and telehealth, with environments that provide safety and support playing a key role in encouraging vulnerability and open dialogue. Inclusive healthcare practices were seen as essential in empowering Black survivors to engage in meaningful communication without feeling silenced or undervalued, thus fostering a dignified quality of life. CONCLUSION: Tailoring post-treatment communication practices to incorporate cultural sensitivity, inclusive healthcare, and safe spaces is pivotal to supporting Black survivors. These findings provide a pathway to improving survivors' experiences and empower them to actively shape their survivorship journey. Moreover, they highlight Black men's need for trustworthy communication with healthcare providers and peers during the post-treatment period, emphasizing the importance of direct, personalized interactions.
