Table 1.

Phrases That Help Facilitate Exploration of Cultural Perspectives, Values, and Information Needs

Domain	Sample Phrases to Introduce the Conversation
Cultural perspectives and values	“Can you please tell me about your culture/community/faith?”
	“Can you tell me a little about yourself and what is important to you in your life?”
	“Can you tell me about your experiences in your home community in situations like this?”
	“When you think about what is ahead, what worries you most?”
Information delivery	“Different people/families like to hear information in different ways. Can you please share how you like to receive information?”
	“Are there particular people who you would like us to include when we share medical information?”
	“Are there particular people who you would like us to not include when we share medical information?”
Decision making	“Can you please share with me how you and your family make decisions?”
	“When you have made medical decisions in the past, what were the circumstances that worked best for you?”
In cases of conflicting values (eg, requests for collusion)	“When you think about telling [patient] about her [diagnosis], what worries you most?”
	“Would you mind telling me more about why you don’t want [patient] to know about her [diagnosis]?”
	“When you think about what is ahead, what are you hoping for?”
	“Would it be okay if I told you what worries me about not telling her about her cancer?”