Renee Xu

Key research areas/interests: Cancer care, cancer pain management, culture related health issues

Principal Supervisor: Professor Jane Phillips

Summary of research project

‘Understanding Cancer Pain Management Experiences and Needs of Chinese Migrants in Australia: a mixed-method study’

Understanding cultural diversity and providing culturally appropriate care is an essential element of effective cancer pain management for patients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Cultural factors can significantly influence cancer patients’ pain experience, coping behaviours and adherence to pain treatment. The cultural experience of Chinese migrants, one of the largest cultural and linguistically diverse communities in Australia, may inadvertently act as a barrier to effective pain management for Chinese migrant cancer patients.

My research employs a sequential mixed-method research design to explore cultural related facilitators and enablers at the levels of patient, oncology nursing professional and health system in relation to providing culturally congruent cancer pain management for the largest Australian migrant population other than the UK and New Zealand – people born in China. The project includes two sub-studies; a focus group of Chinese Migrant Cancer Patients, conducted in two sites in NSW, and a survey of cancer and palliative care nurses undertaken across Australia.

Why did you decide to embark on your research degree at the Faculty of Health at UTS?

UTS is highly recognised in nursing education and research.

What contribution to knowledge are you planning to make with your research project?

This research project will generate insights into:

• the cultural and social structural factors that influence Chinese migrant cancer pain management experiences and needs;
• the patient, health provider and system level barriers and facilitators impacting on the provision of culturally congruent cancer pain management for Chinese migrant patients living in Australia; and
• any potential changes that may be required to improve Chinese migrant cancer patients’ pain experiences and address any unmet needs.

Who will benefit from your research? How?

Chinese migrant cancer patients will benefit from the study as the results will be used to inform development of health care and educational interventions to improve quality of cancer pain management for this population.

How did you go about selecting your supervisor?

I was referred by another professor to my supervisor who is specialised in the areas of my research interests.

What have been the most valuable parts of your research student experience at the Faculty of Health at UTS?

I have learnt from and worked with professors and/or scholars who are very knowledgeable and supportive and are well known in their areas internationally and domestically. I have been well supported by the staff and other peer research students, and have had access to the workshops run by UTS Graduate Research School and Faculty of Health. These workshops are very helpful for students to develop essential research and academic writing skills. I have been able to access to online databases which provide high quality of resources from worldwide and are very helpful for research development.

What advice would you give to future research students thinking about starting a higher degree in research at the Faculty of Health?

• Attend the workshops of UTS Graduate Research School and Faculty of Health as much as you can.
• Maintain effective commination with your supervisors and staff member of Health Research Office.
• Speak out if you need help or have any concerns about your study.
• Build professional network with other peer students and researchers and health professionals.
• Set up short time and long-time learning goals for your study.
• Always submit an application for the research grants when the opportunity comes – you never know what you may get!

 

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