Background: Under-representation of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) patients in health research limits the generalisability of findings. Low participation rates are in-part due to the challenges of involving interpreters.
Aim: This study investigated the feasibility and acceptability of recruiting non-English speaking participants to the Care to Quit trial in cancer centres by involving the local health interpreter service.
Method: People who smoked tobacco and who were being treated at three NSW cancer centres during the pilot study period were eligible to participate. The pilot study was introduced using translated Care to Quit study recruitment documents and videos in Arabic, Greek, Simplified Chinese and Vietnamese. A three-way telephone interview with a Healthcare Interpreter Service, a research interviewer and the participant was organised. At follow-up the participants were asked about their experience with the recruitment process. Key informant interviews were conducted with interviewers and the interpreter service.
Results: Of the eight CALD potential participants approached, three consented to participate, three completed at least part of the baseline interview and one also completed a follow-up interview. Participants reported that they valued the opportunity to participate. Process data indicated that it took many attempts to organise and conduct the telephone interviews, primarily as a result of coordinating multiple availabilities. Participants and staff indicated that the interviews were lengthy, given the need for live translation of both questions and responses; particularly for Likert-scale responses. Interpreter service staff also indicated that the unfamiliarity of research posed challenged for both individual staff and for the booking system. Suggested ways forward were discussed.