Outpatient Virtual Care Among People Living With and Beyond Cancer From Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds in Australia: A Protocol for a Realist Evaluation

• DOI: 10.1111/hex.70235
• Publication Date: 2025-03-19T06:25:16Z
• Authors: Prince Peprah; Sagda Osman; Rebecca Mitchell; Ashfaq Chauhan; Ramya Walsan; Maryam Sina; Bronwyn Newman; Nadine El‐Kabbout; Jan Mumford; Emilie Francis‐Auton; Elizabeth Manias; Virginia Mumford; Kate Churruca; Michelle Moscova; Natalie Taylor; Craig Nelson; Alexander Cardenas; Robyn Clay‐Williams; Jeffrey Braithwaite; Reema Harrison
• Keywords: Participant Observation

ABSTRACT Background Virtual care is increasingly being used to deliver outpatient cancer services, yet people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds can experience inequities in accessing these services. A range of complex context‐specific factors impact the effectiveness virtual equity its use outcomes. This study draws on methodological principles realist evaluation provide contextual understanding account how, why what circumstances services work (or not) for CALD Australia. Design Realist evaluation, a theory‐driven approach, allows researchers nuanced whom different interventions under circumstances. We propose an iterative stakeholder‐driven four‐phase design that exploratory sequential, following Meta‐narrative Evidence Synthesis: Evolving Standards (RAMESES II) quality standards studies. Phase 1 will generate initial program theory synthesis theories how are implemented into routine semi‐structured interviews with key stakeholders, including service providers, leaders and/or their carers who backgrounds. 2 focus group discussions stakeholders retroductive, analysis test refine theory. 3 validate small purposive participant sample outside those participated phases 2. The final phase coproduce theory‐informed actionable recommendations guidelines effective models implementation through interactive workshops consumers, managers, providers. Discussion Knowledge contexts mechanisms produce optimal outcomes essential guide design, adjustment equitable all patients. Outputs this guidelines, inform policy practice about implementing or adjusting policies procedures Australian healthcare make them more accessible equitable. Patient Public Contribution conceptualisation were developed consumers cultural linguistic backgrounds, providers academics as part national project Multicultural have lived contributed project's investigators coauthors protocol paper. Patients public also represented Project Steering Group members data collection processes, development, refinement our