Study to Identify and Measure the Values and Palliative Care Pref. of Hindu Patients and Their Caregivers

This is a cross-sectional study of Hindu patients with cancer in Charlotte and surrounding areas and their Hindu caregivers. This study will use the methods and principles of Community-based participatory research (CBPR). Before enrollment of participants, a Community Advisory Group (CAG) will be formed, which represents the Hindu community's perspective in the research project and facilitates interactions with Hindu patients with cancer and caregivers. The CAG will be composed of 8-10 members, including healthcare professionals, leaders, patients with cancer, and their caregivers - identified by members from three Hindu institutions, Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), Hindu Center of Charlotte, and Trimurti Temple Devasthanam, in Charlotte and surrounding areas. Charlotte is one of the two areas in NC with the fastest growing Indian population. The role of the CAG is to provide input throughout both parts of the study. There will be two cohorts of patients with cancer/caregivers: 1) focus group cohort and 2) cognitive interview cohort. Data about cultural values and palliative care preferences collected from focus group participants (Cohort 1) will be analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis approach and will be used for survey development. The survey will be validated with cognitive interviews (Cohort 2). After any needed modifications, the final survey will be created and presented to all study participants. All of the study participants will also have the opportunity to review the survey to ensure that the questions reflect their real-world experiences. The investigators hypothesize that this final survey will be an effective tool to measure the cultural values and palliative care preferences of Hindu patients and their caregivers. Participants will be enrolled over approximately 12 months.