Racial and ethnic differences in patient perceptions of bias and cultural competence in health care

Canadian residents' perceptions of cross-cultural care training in graduate medical school

BACKGROUND

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada specifies both respect for diversity as a requirement of professionalism and culturally sensitive provision of medical care. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the perception of preparedness and attitudes of medical residents to deliver cross-cultural care.

METHODS

The Cross Cultural Care Survey was sent via e-mail to all Faculty of Medicine residents (approx. 450) in an academic health sciences centre. Comparisons were made between psychiatry residents, family medicine residents, and other residency groups with respect to training, preparedness, and skillfulness in delivering cross-cultural care.

RESULTS

Seventy-three (16%) residents responded to the survey. Residents in psychiatry and family medicine reported significantly more training and formal evaluation regarding cross-cultural care than residents in other programs. However, there were no significant differences in self-reported preparedness and skillfulness. Residents in family medicine were more likely to report needing more practical experience working with diverse groups. Psychiatry residents were less likely to report inadequate cross-cultural training.

CONCLUSION

While most residents reported feeling skillful and prepared to work with culturally diverse groups, they report receiving little additional instruction or formal evaluation on this topic, particularly in programs other than psychiatry and family medicine.

Distrust in health care and cultural factors are associated with uptake of colorectal cancer screening in Hispanic and Asian Americans

BACKGROUND

There are racial/ethnic disparities in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, including lower uptake rates among Hispanic Americans (HAs) and Asian Americans (AAs) relative to non-Hispanic white Americans. The objective of this study was to explore pathways associated with the use of health services and to characterize multifaceted associations with the uptake of CRC screening among HAs and AAs.

METHODS

Data were obtained from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (2012-2013). Participants included HA (n = 3731) and AA (n = 1345) respondents ages 50 to 75 years who met CRC screening recommendations. A modified Andersen behavioral model was used to examine pathways that lead to CRC screening uptake, including predisposing characteristics (education, economic, and cultural factors), health insurance, health needs (perceived health status and several comorbidities), and health provider contextual factors (access to care, perceived quality of health services, and distrust in health care). Structural equation modeling was used to examine the models for HAs and AAs.

RESULTS

In the HA model, cultural factors (standardized regression coefficient [β] = -0.04; P = .013) and distrust in health care (β = -0.05; P = .007) directly and negatively affected CRC screening. Similarly, cultural factors (β = -0.11; P = .002) negatively affected CRC screening in the AA model, but distrust in health care was not significant (P = .103). In both models, perceived quality of health services was positively associated with CRC screening uptake and mediated the negative association between cultural factors and CRC screening. Access to care was not associated with CRC screening.

CONCLUSIONS

Correlations between CRC screening and associated factors differ among HAs and AAs, suggesting a need for multilevel interventions tailored to race/ethnicity. The current findings suggest that facilitating access to care without improving perceived quality of health services may be ineffective for increasing the uptake of CRC screening among HAs and AAs. Cancer 2018;124:335-45. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

Treatment barriers among younger and older socioeconomically disadvantaged smokers

OBJECTIVES

Underutilization of smoking cessation treatments contributes to high rates of smoking in socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. Guided by a conceptual framework, the present study explored how healthcare provider factors, social environment characteristics, and cessation beliefs influence treatment utilization among low-income smokers and whether these associations vary by age.

STUDY DESIGN

Analyses were conducted on baseline data from 2406 participants enrolled in a randomized controlled trial that evaluated the effectiveness of a proactive outreach cessation intervention among a sample of younger (18-34 years) and older (35-64 years) smokers enrolled in public healthcare assistance programs.

METHODS

Multivariable logistic regression models predicted past year cessation treatment utilization (CTU) among younger and older smokers. Independent variables included measures of healthcare provider barriers, social environment characteristics, and cessation beliefs.

RESULTS

Younger smokers were less likely to have CTU than older smokers (27.2% vs 36.2%; P <.001). In both groups, number of cigarettes per day, more problems accessing healthcare, receiving medication-related cessation advice, and readiness to quit were positively associated with CTU (P <.05). Among younger smokers, living with another smoker was associated with lower odds of CTU while receipt of cessation advice was associated (P = .033) with higher odds of CTU.

CONCLUSIONS

In this sample of low-income smokers, interest in quitting was high but treatment utilization was low. Increasing utilization of cessation treatments via interventions that target issues specific to low-income smokers, including healthcare provider access and advice, the home environment, and motivation to quit, is an important step toward reducing smoking rates in this population.

The Relationship of Patient-Provider Communication on Quality of Life among African-American and White Cancer Survivors

Prior research has demonstrated poorer patient-provider communication ratings among African American compared to White patients. The quality of patient-provider communication has been shown to impact treatment outcomes among cancer patients. A secondary data analysis design was used to determine the relationship of six patient-provider communication variables on the physical health quality of life (PHQOL) and mental health quality of life (MHQOL) of African American and White cancer patients (N = 479). We also examined whether the relationship between communication patterns and QOL differed based on race/ethnicity. Mean physical and mental health QOL scores for the sample were 69.8 and 77.6, respectively. After controlling for significant sociodemographic, clinical, and hospital variables, results showed that patients who experienced fewer interpersonal communication barriers who were more satisfied with the information given by providers had higher PHQOL and MHQOL scores. Additionally, patients who felt more comfort in asking questions or had fewer unmet information needs had higher MHQOL. A stratified analysis showed that the relationship of overall satisfaction with information on MHQOL was stronger among African American patients than White patients. Future research should focus on the development of interventions to improve patient-provider communication as a means for enhancing QOL outcomes among cancer survivors.

Intensity of exposure to a patient activation intervention and patient engagement in medical visit communication

OBJECTIVE

We examined associations between intensity of exposure to a community health worker (CHW) delivered communication activation intervention targeting low-income patients with hypertension.

METHODS

We analyzed question-asking behaviors of patients assigned to the intervention arms (n=140) in a randomized controlled trial. Intensity of exposure to the intervention was operationalized as the duration of face-to-face coaching and number of protocol-specified topics discussed. Mixed effects models characterized the relationship between intensity of exposure and patients' communication in a subsequent medical visit.

RESULTS

The number of topics discussed during the coaching session was positively associated with patients' asking psychosocial-related questions during their visit. The duration of the coaching session was positively associated with patients' use of communication engagement strategies to facilitate their participation in the visit dialogue. Exposure to a physician trained in patient-centered communication did not influence these relationships.

CONCLUSIONS

A dose-response relationship was observed between exposure to a CHW- delivered communication activation intervention and patient-provider communication.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

This study supports the use of CHWs in activating patients toward greater communication in the therapeutic exchange.

Ethnic Disparities in Medicare Part D Satisfaction and Intention to Switch Plans

Medicare Part D has been successful in providing affordable prescription drug coverage with relatively high levels of beneficiary reported satisfaction. We use nationally representative survey data to examine whether racial/ethnic disparities exist in reported Part D satisfaction and plan evaluations. Compared to non-Hispanic White Medicare beneficiaries, Hispanic beneficiaries are considerably more likely to report to switch to a new plan in the next year and, among beneficiaries auto-enrolled in a Part D plan, are less likely to be very satisfied with the currently enrolled plan. The findings of ethnic disparities in both Medicare Part D plan satisfaction and the intent to switch plans call for future quality and equity improvement efforts to address these disparities.

Race/Ethnicity and Health Care Communication: Does Patient-Provider Concordance Matter?

BACKGROUND

Although many minority patients would prefer a provider of their own race/ethnicity, the influence of this relationship on patient-provider communication remains unknown. This analysis examined the effect of patient-provider race/ethnicity concordance on patient-reported provider communication quality using data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey years 2002-2012.

METHODS

Ordinary least squares regressions were executed on communication rating, measured by the Consumer Assessment of Health Providers and Systems.

RESULTS

Only 13.8% of black, non-Hispanic patients reported their usual source of care provider matched their race/ethnicity, compared with 94.4% of white, non-Hispanic patients and 43.8% of Hispanic patients. Differences in communication ratings were driven by patient race, rather than provider race. Although black, non-Hispanic patients rate their communication significantly higher than their counterparts overall, there was no significant influence of patient-provider racial concordance on ratings of communication when controlling for other sociodemographic variables.

CONCLUSIONS

Minorities may seek the services of minority providers, but they are not more satisfied with patient-provider communication experience than when in race-discordant provider arrangements.

Perceptions of negative health-care experiences and self-reported health behavior change in three racial and ethnic groups

OBJECTIVES

Our two study objectives were: (1) to understand the relationship between the perception of a previous negative health-care experience and race/ethnicity, and how socio-demographic, access-to-health-care, and self-reported health variables modified this relationship; and (2) to assess how many behaviors participants reported changing as a result of experiencing a perceived negative health-care experience, which behaviors they changed, and if there were differences in patterns of change across racial/ethnic groups.

DESIGN

We conducted a cross-sectional survey of a convenience sample of 600 African-American, Mexican-Hispanic, and white adults in socioeconomically diverse neighborhoods in Chicago, IL. We used multivariable logistic regression to analyze the relationship between a perceived negative health-care experience in the last 5 years and race/ethnicity. We summed and then calculated the percentage of people who changed each of the 10 behaviors and evaluated whether or not there were differences in behavior change across racial/ethnic groups.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

More than 32% of participants reported a perceived negative health-care experience in the past 5 years. Participants who had a bachelor's degree or above (OR: 2.95, 95%CI: 1.01-8.63), avoided needed care due to cost (OR: 1.84, 95%CI: 1.11-3.06), or who reported fair/poor health (OR: 3.58, 95%CI: 1.66-7.80) had significantly increased odds of reporting a negative health-care experience. Of these people, 88% reported 'sometimes/always' changing at least one health-seeking behavior. There were no racial/ethnic differences in reporting negative experiences or in patterns of behavior change.

CONCLUSIONS

Race/ethnicity was not related to reporting a perceived negative health-care experience or reported patterns of behavior change in response to that experience. However, those who avoided care due to cost were more highly educated, or who indicated poorer health status reported having a negative experience more often. Our findings suggest that the perception of a previous negative experience may influence subsequent health-care-seeking behaviors.

Contributors to Patients' Ratings of Quality of Care Among Ethnically Diverse Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

We examined racial/ethnic differences in patients' ratings of components of interpersonal quality [participatory decision making (PDM) style, being treated as an equal partner, and feelings of trust], and evaluated the association between each of these components and patients' ratings of overall healthcare quality among non-Hispanic white (NHW), Vietnamese American, and Mexican American patients with type 2 diabetes. The findings indicated that although all three components were significantly associated with ratings of overall healthcare quality, the significant interactions between race/ethnicity and both PDM style (β = -0.09, p < 0.01) and equal partner (β = -0.06, p < 0.05) for the Vietnamese American patients suggested that the relationship between these components and patients' ratings of healthcare quality were less strong among Vietnamese American patients than among the NHW patients. Understanding racial/ethnic differences in the components of interpersonal quality that are associated with patients' ratings of overall healthcare quality is an important step for improving patients' experiences of their own care.

Color-Blind and Multicultural Strategies in Medical Settings

Recently, scholars have called for research that systematically examines the role of race and culture in shaping communication during racially discordant practitioner-patient interactions (i.e., patient and physician from different racial ethnic groups). In this review, we focus on two conceptual frameworks that influence the way people think about race, and subsequently, how they interact with others of a different race: color blindness and multiculturalism. We integrate basic social psychological research on interracial laboratory interactions with research on the markers of successful practitioner-patient communication to discuss how these two strategies shape interactions between Black patients and non-Black practitioners. Given that racial discrimination is often addressed within medical education and training contexts, we also discuss how these two strategies influence how practitioners are trained to talk about race. We conclude by offering practical suggestions as to how medical interactions can be improved by taking into consideration how color-blind and multicultural strategies shape behaviors within medical settings.

Cultural Distress: An Emerging Paradigm

Although cultural competence in practice is a common goal within the health care professions, little is known about the consequences of a lack of such competence in health and healing. We propose a novel theoretical framework of cultural distress to describe patient experiences of and reactions to care that does not incorporate attention to cultural needs. Use of the cultural distress model to guide research offers an innovative framework by which researchers may identify potential interventions such that patients never reach a level of cultural distress.

Community-Based Approaches to Strengthen Cultural Competency in Nursing Education and Practice

This article explores existing informal as well as formal approaches that address health disparities in the communities where they occur, enhancing the opportunity to strengthen the cultural competency of providers, students, and faculty. A particular focus centers on the community-based participatory research approaches that involve community members, providing opportunities to develop mutually respectful, trusting relationships through co-teaching and co-learning experiences. With community-based participatory research approaches to community involvement in place, the stage is set for partnerships between communities and schools of nursing to collaboratively design, implement, and integrate informal and formal cultural competence components in nursing curricula.

Influences of race and breast density on related cognitive and emotion outcomes before mandated breast density notification

RATIONALE

Many states have adopted laws mandating breast density (BD) notification for applicable women; however, very little is known about what women knew or felt about BD and related breast cancer (BC) risk before implementation of BD notification laws.

OBJECTIVE

We examined between-race differences in the extent to which having dense breasts was associated with women's related BD cognition and emotion, and with health care providers' communication about BD.

METHODS

We received surveys between May and October of 2015 assessing health care provider (HCP) communication about BD, BD-related knowledge, BD-related anxiety and BC worry from 182 African American (AA) and 113 European American (EA) women in the state of Michigan for whom we had radiologists' assessments of BD.

RESULTS

Whereas having dense breasts was not associated with any BD-related cognition or emotion, there were robust effects of race as follows: EA women were more likely to have been told about BD by a HCP, more likely to know their BD status, had greater knowledge of BD and of BC risk, and had greater perceptions of BC risk and worry; AA women had greater BD-related anxieties. EA women's greater knowledge of their own BD status was directly related to the increased likelihood of HCP communication about BD. However, HCP communication about BD attenuated anxiety for AA women only.

CONCLUSION

We present the only data of which we are aware that examines between-race differences in the associations between actual BD, HCP communication and BD related cognition and emotion before the implementation of BD notification laws. Our findings suggest that the BD notification laws could yield positive benefits for disparities in BD-related knowledge and anxiety when the notifications are followed by discussions with health care providers.

Curricular initiatives that enhance student knowledge and perceptions of sexual and gender minority groups: a critical interpretive synthesis

BACKGROUND

There is no accepted best practice for optimizing tertiary student knowledge, perceptions, and skills to care for sexual and gender diverse groups. The objective of this research was to synthesize the relevant literature regarding effective curricular initiatives designed to enhance tertiary level student knowledge, perceptions, and skills to care for sexual and gender diverse populations.

METHODS

A modified Critical Interpretive Synthesis using a systematic search strategy was conducted in 2015. This method was chosen to synthesize the relevant qualitative and quantitative literature as it allows for the depth and breadth of information to be captured and new constructs to be illuminated. Databases searched include AMED, CINAHL EBM Reviews, ERIC, Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Nursing Database, PsychInfo, and Google Scholar.

RESULTS

Thirty-one articles were included in this review. Curricular initiatives ranging from discrete to multimodal approaches have been implemented. Successful initiatives included discrete sessions with time for processing, and multi-modal strategies. Multi-modal approaches that encouraged awareness of one's lens and privilege in conjunction with facilitated communication seemed the most effective.

CONCLUSIONS

The literature is limited to the evaluation of explicit curricula. The wider cultural competence literature offers further insight by highlighting the importance of broad and embedded forces including social influences, the institutional climate, and the implicit, or hidden, curriculum. A combined interpretation of the complementary cultural competence and sexual and gender diversity literature provides a novel understanding of the optimal content and context for the delivery of a successful curricular initiative.

A Real-World Observational Study of Time to Treatment Intensification Among Elderly Patients with Inadequately Controlled Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

BACKGROUND

Among elderly patients, the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is complicated by population heterogeneity and elderly-specific complexities. Few studies have been done to understand treatment intensification among elderly patients failing multiple oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs).

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association between time to treatment intensification of T2DM and elderly-specific patient complexities.

METHODS

In this observational, retrospective cohort study, elderly (aged ≥ 65 years) Medicare beneficiaries (n = 16,653) with inadequately controlled T2DM (hemoglobin A1c ≥ 8.0% despite 2 OADs) were included. Based on the consensus statement for diabetes care in elderly patients published by the American Diabetes Association and the American Geriatric Society, elderly-specific patient complexities were defined as the presence or absence of 5 geriatric syndromes: cognitive impairment; depression; falls and fall risk; polypharmacy; and urinary incontinence.

RESULTS

Overall, 48.7% of patients received intensified treatment during follow-up, with median time to intensification 18.5 months (95% CI = 17.7-19.3). Median time to treatment intensification was shorter for elderly patients with T2DM with polypharmacy (16.5 months) and falls and fall risk (12.7 months) versus those without polypharmacy (20.4 months) and no fall risk (18.6 months). Elderly patients with urinary incontinence had a longer median time to treatment intensification (18.6 months) versus those without urinary incontinence (14.6 months). The median time to treatment intensification did not significantly differ by the elderly-specific patient complexities that included cognitive impairment and depression. However, after adjusting for demographic, insurance, clinical characteristics, and health care utilization, we found that only polypharmacy was associated with time to treatment intensification (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.10; 95% CI = 1.04-1.15; P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Less than half of elderly patients with inadequately controlled T2DM received treatment intensification. Elderly-specific patient complexities were not associated with time to treatment intensification, emphasizing a positive effect of the integrated health care delivery model. Emerging health care delivery models that target integrated care may be crucial in providing appropriate treatment for elderly T2DM patients with complex conditions.

Medication Adherence in Patients with Bipolar Disorder: A Comprehensive Review

Poor medication adherence is a pervasive problem that causes disability and suffering as well as extensive financial costs among individuals with bipolar disorder (BD). Barriers to adherence are numerous and cross multiple levels, including factors related to bipolar pathology and those unique to an individual's circumstances. External factors, including treatment setting, healthcare system, and broader health policies, can also affect medication adherence in people with BD. Fortunately, advances in research have suggested avenues for improving adherence. A comprehensive review of adherence-enhancement interventions for the years 2005-2015 is included. Specific bipolar adherence-enhancement approaches that target knowledge gaps, cognitive patterns, specific barriers, and motivation may be helpful, as may approaches that capitalize on technology or novel drug-delivery systems. However, much work remains to optimally facilitate long-term medication adherence in people with BD. For adherence-enhancement approaches to be widely adapted, they need to be easily accessible, affordable, and practical.

Racial Centrality and Health Care Use Among African American Adults With Sickle Cell Disease

The present study examined an exploratory model of the confluence of racial centrality, pain, psychological variables, and health care use in a sample of African American adults with sickle cell disease. Significant path coefficients were observed between pain severity, perceived stress, and psychological symptoms. The model yielded direct effects for paths to health care use from pain frequency and racial centrality—indicating that participants who reported more frequent pain episodes tended to use more health care services and those who endorsed a highly central African American identity utilized fewer health care services. Generally, these findings suggest a need for expanded thinking about determinants of health care use in this population beyond psychological and physiological variables. These findings support a rationale for further exploring the sociocultural context of sickle cell and highlight a specific need for better understanding the complex relationships among multidimensional aspects of racial identity and health care use.

Healthcare injustice in patients with sickle cell disease

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to detail experiences that sickle cell disease (SCD) patients associate with healthcare justice and injustice in pain control.

Design/methodology/approach

– A content analysis study of open-ended comments written by 31 participants who completed a 20-item healthcare injustice questionnaire-revised twice: once in reference to experiences with doctors and once in reference to experiences with nurses.

Findings

– Participants’ mean age was 33±10 years; most were African-Americans and women. Themes showed: the four domains of healthcare justice were represented in patients’ comments; examples of justice and injustice were provided; specific incidents and interactions with healthcare providers were memorable to patients; and setting was a factor important to healthcare experiences because expectations about services vary by setting.

Research limitations/implications

– Patients were self-selected. Future work will include qualitative interviews and focus groups to uncover more details about how patients experience healthcare injustice.

Practical implications

– Additional training is needed for SCD providers and about proper management of sickle cell pain; educational modules are also needed that address areas of healthcare injustice by patients.

Originality/value

– The authors are the first to report how patients define healthcare justice and injustice. Specific details about memorable SCD patient-provider interactions and pain control are described.

The Influence of Social Determinants on Late Stage Breast Cancer for Women in Mississippi

INTRODUCTION

Breast cancer is the most common diagnosed cancer in women exacting an emotional and economic hardship for them and their families. There are no known causes of breast cancer, but there are certain genetic, social, and environment risk factors that pre-dispose women to this disease. Also, diagnosis at later stages of disease has been shown to have adverse outcomes for many as compared to early stages. The social determinants researched to examine their influence on breast cancer outcomes were race, health insurance, and income. The results of this study confirmed that race and health insurance were the two major factors that negatively impacted stages of breast cancer diagnoses.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence that social determinants have on stage of breast cancer diagnoses. This research focused on three social determinants that research demonstrated had an influence on stages of breast cancer diagnoses (race, income, and lack of health insurance).

METHODS

Bivariate analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between race and income, race and health insurance, and race and stage of diagnosis. The findings confirmed what was suspected for Mississippians; more African Americans had lower incomes, had less health insurance coverage, and were diagnosed at later stages of breast cancer disease.

RESULTS

Only race and health insurance directly affected late stage diagnosis in analyses for this study. The influence of income on stage of breast cancer diagnosis was not statistically significant. The results of these analyses demonstrated that African American women in Mississippi were disproportionately diagnosed at late stage breast cancer as opposed to early stage.

CONCLUSIONS

An individual cannot alter the genetic factor of race, but some of the disparate health outcomes that appear to be associated with race may be behavioral or socio-economically based and can be addressed, which could impact health outcomes. Adequate health insurance could positively impact stage of breast cancer diagnoses, ultimately reducing health disparities and premature death.

An ethnographic investigation of the maternity healthcare experience of immigrants in rural and urban Alberta, Canada

Background

Canada is among the top immigrant-receiving nations in the world. Immigrant populations may face structural and individual barriers in the access to and navigation of healthcare services in a new country. The aims of the study were to (1) generate new understanding of the processes that perpetuate immigrant disadvantages in maternity healthcare, and (2) devise potential interventions that might improve maternity experiences and outcomes for immigrant women in Canada.

Methods

The study utilized a qualitative research approach that focused on ethnographic research design and data analysis contextualized within theories of organizational behaviour and critical realism. Data were collected over 2.5 years using focus groups and in-depth semistructured interviews with immigrant women (n = 34), healthcare providers (n = 29), and social service providers (n = 23) in a Canadian province. Purposive samples of each subgroup were generated, and recruitment and data collection – including interpretation and verification of translations – were facilitated through the hiring of community researchers and collaborations with key informants.

Results

The findings indicate that (a) communication difficulties, (b) lack of information, (c) lack of social support (isolation), (d) cultural beliefs, e) inadequate healthcare services, and (f) cost of medicine/services represent potential barriers to the access to and navigation of maternity services by immigrant women in Canada. Having successfully accessed and navigated services, immigrant women often face additional challenges that influence their level of satisfaction and quality of care, such as lack of understanding of the informed consent process, lack of regard by professionals for confidential patient information, short consultation times, short hospital stays, perceived discrimination/stereotyping, and culture shock.

Conclusions

Although health service organizations and policies strive for universality and equality in service provision, personal and organizational barriers can limit care access, adequacy, and acceptability for immigrant women. A holistic healthcare approach must include health informational packages available in different languages/media. Health care professionals who care for diverse populations must be provided with training in cultural competence, and monitoring and evaluation programs to ameliorate personal and systemic discrimination.

Physician and patient perceptions of cultural competency and medical compliance

To examine the relationship between the different perceptions of medical teams and their patients of the cultural competence of physicians, and the influence of this relationship on the conflict between them. Physicians' cultural competence (Noble A. Linguistic and cultural mediation of social services. Cultural competence of health care. Echo New Studio 2007; 91:18-28) might reduce this phenomenon. Structured questionnaires were distributed to 90 physicians working in outpatient clinics in a central hospital in Israel, and to 417 of their patients. Each physician had four to six sampled patients.The findings showed a significant negative correlation (r = -0.50, P < 0.05) between the physicians' perception of their cultural competence and the patients' perception of physician competence. The more patients perceive the physician as culturally competent, the more they comply with their medical recommendations. In addition, the findings show that ethnicity significantly affects patients' perception of the cultural competence of physicians, and their satisfaction with the medical care they receive.

Cross-cultural perspectives on the patient-provider relationship: a qualitative study exploring reflections from Ghanaian medical students following a clinical rotation in the United States

BACKGROUND

In international health experiences, learners are exposed to different culturally-based patient care models. Little is known about student perceptions of patient-provider interactions when they travel from low-to high-resource settings. The purpose of this study was to explore these reflections among a subset of Ghanaian medical students who participated in clinical rotations at the University of Michigan Medical School (UMMS).

METHODS

In-depth, semi-structured interviews lasting 60-90 min were conducted with 15 individuals who had participated in 3-to 4-week clinical rotations at UMMS between January 2008 and December 2011. Interviews were conducted from March to August 2012 and transcribed verbatim, then independently coded by three investigators. Investigators compared open codes and reached a consensus regarding major themes.

RESULTS

Participating Ghanaian medical students reported that their perspectives of the patient-provider relationship were significantly affected by participation in a UMMS rotation. Major thematic areas included: (1) observations of patient care during the UMMS rotation, including patient comfort and privacy, physician behavior toward patients, and patient behavior; (2) reflections on the role of humanism and respect within patient care; (3) barriers to respectful care; and (4) transformation of student behaviors and attitudes. Students also reported integrating more patient-centered care into their own medical practice upon return to Ghana

DISCUSSION

Participation in a US-based clinical rotation has the potential to introduce medical students from resource-limited settings to a different paradigm of patient-provider interactions, which may impact their future behavior and perspectives regarding patient care in their home countries.

CONCLUSIONS

Students from under-resourced settings can derive tremendous value from participation in clinical electives in more affluent settings, namely through exposure to a different type of medical care.

Perceptions of racism in healthcare among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a cross-sectional study

Background

Racial disparities in the clinical outcomes of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) exist. Perceived racial discrimination may contribute to disparities in health.

Objectives

To determine if perceived racism in healthcare differs by race among patients with SLE and to evaluate its contribution to racial disparities in SLE-related outcomes.

Methods

163 African–American (AA) and 180 white (WH) patients with SLE were enrolled. Structured interviews and chart reviews were done to determine perceptions of racism, SLE-related outcomes (Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) Damage Index, SLE Disease Activity, Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D)), and other variables that may affect perceptions of racism. Serial hierarchical multivariable logistic regression models were conducted. Race-stratified analyses were also performed.

Results

56.0% of AA patients compared with 32.8% of WH patients had high perceptions of discrimination in healthcare (p<0.001). This difference remained (OR 4.75 (95% CI 2.41 to 8.68)) after adjustment for background, identity and healthcare experiences. Female gender (p=0.012) and lower trust in physicians (p<0.001) were also associated with high perceived racism. The odds of having greater disease damage (SLICC damage index ≥2) were higher in AA patients than in WH patients (crude OR 1.55 (95% CI 1.01 to 2.38)). The odds of having moderate to severe depression (CES-D ≥17) were also higher in AA patients than in WH patients (crude OR 1.94 (95% CI 1.26 to 2.98)). When adjusted for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, racial disparities in disease damage and depression were no longer significant. Among AA patients, higher perceived racism was associated with having moderate to severe depression (adjusted OR 1.23 (95% CI 1.05 to 1.43)) even after adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical variables.

Conclusions

Perceptions of racism in healthcare were more common in AA patients than in WH patients with SLE and were associated with depression. Interventions aimed at modifiable factors (eg, trust in providers) may reduce higher perceptions of race-based discrimination in SLE.

Elucidating patient-perceived role in "decision-making" among African Americans receiving lung cancer care through a county safety-net system

PURPOSE

We explored patient-perceived role in "decision-making" related to active treatment and palliation among African Americans receiving lung cancer care through a county safety-net system.

METHODS

Drawing from a cohort of over 100 African Americans treated in a safety-net hospital, we invited a subsample of 13 patient-caregiver dyads to participate in a series of dyadic, ethnographic interviews conducted at the patients' homes. Over 40 h of transcripts were analyzed in an iterative process resulting in reported themes.

RESULTS

Findings from ethnographic interviews demonstrated that healthcare communication with physicians is difficult for patients. While caregivers and patients describe a deep engagement in lung cancer care, they expressed a concurrent lack of understanding of their prognosis and outcomes of treatment. Dyads did not discuss their lung cancer experience in terms of decision-making; rather, most articulated their role as following physician guidance. Distinct lack of understanding about disease course, severity, and prognosis may constrain patient perception of the need for informed decision-making over the course of care.

CONCLUSIONS

Dyadic interviews detailing safety-net patient experiences of lung cancer care raise important questions about how clinicians, as well as researchers, conceptualize processes of informed decision-making in vulnerable populations.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

Safety-net patients may not perceive their role as involving informed decision-making and further may lack understanding of disease course and individual prognosis. Safety-net patient dyads expressed high involvement in care and a desire for clarity; clinicians should be prepared to clearly communicate disease stage and prognosis.

Does the availability of a South Asian language in practices improve reports of doctor-patient communication from South Asian patients? Cross sectional analysis of a national patient survey in English general practices

BACKGROUND

Ethnic minorities report poorer evaluations of primary health care compared to White British patients. Emerging evidence suggests that when a doctor and patient share ethnicity and/or language this is associated with more positive reports of patient experience. Whether this is true for adults in English general practices remains to be explored.

METHODS

We analysed data from the 2010/2011 English General Practice Patient Survey, which were linked to data from the NHS Choices website to identify languages which were available at the practice. Our analysis was restricted to single-handed practices and included 190,582 patients across 1,068 practices. Including only single-handed practices enabled us to attribute, more accurately, reported patient experience to the languages that were listed as being available. We also carried out sensitivity analyses in multi-doctor practices. We created a composite score on a 0-100 scale from seven survey items assessing doctor-patient communication. Mixed-effect linear regression models were used to examine how differences in reported experience of doctor communication between patients of different self-reported ethnicities varied according to whether a South Asian language concordant with their ethnicity was available in their practice. Models were adjusted for patient characteristics and a random effect for practice.

RESULTS

Availability of a concordant language had the largest effect on communication ratings for Bangladeshis and the least for Indian respondents (p < 0.01). Bangladeshi, Pakistani and Indian respondents on average reported poorer communication than White British respondents [-2.9 (95%CI -4.2, -1.6), -1.9 (95%CI -2.6, -1.2) and -1.9 (95%CI -2.5, -1.4), respectively]. However, in practices where a concordant language was offered, the experience reported by Pakistani patients was not substantially worse than that reported by White British patients (-0.2, 95%CI -1.5,+1.0), and in the case of Bangladeshi patients was potentially much better (+4.5, 95%CI -1.0,+10.1). This contrasts with a worse experience reported among Bangladeshi (-3.3, 95%CI -4.6, -2.0) and Pakistani (-2.7, 95%CI -3.6, -1.9) respondents when a concordant language was not offered.

CONCLUSIONS

Substantial differences in reported patient experience exist between ethnic groups. Our results suggest that patient experience among Bangladeshis and Pakistanis is improved where the practice offers a language that is concordant with the patient's ethnicity.

Racial disparities in outcomes after cardiac surgery: the role of hospital quality

Patients from racial and ethnic minorities experience higher mortality after cardiac surgery compared to white patients, both during the early postoperative phase as well as long term. A number of factors likely explain poor outcomes in black and minority patients, which include differences in biology, comorbid health conditions, socioeconomic background, and quality of hospital care. Recent evidence suggests that a major factor underlying excess mortality in these groups is due to their over-representation in low-quality hospitals, where all patients regardless of race have worse outcomes. In this review, we examine the factors underlying racial disparities in outcomes after cardiac surgery, with a primary focus on the role of hospital quality.

Discussions about intimate partner violence during prenatal care in the United States: the role of race/ethnicity and insurance status

Over 1.5 million women are physically, sexually, and emotionally abused by intimate partners in the U.S. each year. Despite the severe health consequences and costs associated with intimate partner violence (IPV), most health providers fail to assess patients for abuse. It was of interest to examine the occurrence of IPV discussions during prenatal care (PNC) visits among women who experienced IPV. This study analyzed data from the 2004-2008 National Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System which included 195,687 women who delivered a live birth in the U.S. IPV victimization was measured using four items that addressed physical abuse by a current or former husband/partner in the 12 months before or during pregnancy. Responses were categorized as preconception, prenatal, preconception and prenatal, and preconception and/or prenatal IPV. The outcome was IPV discussions by health providers during PNC. Separate logistic regression models provided odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Women who reported prenatal IPV were less likely to have IPV discussions during PNC (OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.70-0.94). Results were similar for women experiencing IPV during the prenatal and preconception periods. Among racial/ethnic minorities, women who experienced preconception IPV were less likely to have discussions about IPV during PNC. Further, Medicaid recipients who reported preconception and/or prenatal IPV were less likely to report IPV discussions (OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.69-0.82). This study underscores a public health problem and missed opportunity to connect battered victims to necessary services and care. It elucidates the state of current clinical practice and better informs policies on incorporating universal IPV screening.

Factors influencing intercultural doctor-patient communication: a realist review

OBJECTIVE

Due to migration, doctors see patients from different ethnic backgrounds. This causes challenges for the communication. To develop training programs for doctors in intercultural communication (ICC), it is important to know which barriers and facilitators determine the quality of ICC. This study aimed to provide an overview of the literature and to explore how ICC works.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed to find literature published before October 2012. The search terms used were cultural, communication, healthcare worker. A realist synthesis allowed us to use an explanatory focus to understand the interplay of communication.

RESULTS

In total, 145 articles met the inclusion criteria. We found ICC challenges due to language, cultural and social differences, and doctors' assumptions. The mechanisms were described as factors influencing the process of ICC and divided into objectives, core skills and specific skills. The results were synthesized in a framework for the development of training.

CONCLUSION

The quality of ICC is influenced by the context and by the mechanisms. These mechanisms translate into practical points for training, which seem to have similarities with patient-centered communication.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Training for improving ICC can be developed as an extension of the existing training for patient-centered communication.

The interaction of patient race, provider bias, and clinical ambiguity on pain management decisions

Although racial disparities in pain care are widely reported, much remains to be known about the role of provider and contextual factors. We used computer-simulated patients to examine the influence of patient race, provider racial bias, and clinical ambiguity on pain decisions. One hundred twenty-nine medical residents/fellows made assessment (pain intensity) and treatment (opioid and nonopioid analgesics) decisions for 12 virtual patients with acute pain. Race (black/white) and clinical ambiguity (high/low) were manipulated across vignettes. Participants completed the Implicit Association Test and feeling thermometers, which assess implicit and explicit racial biases, respectively. Individual- and group-level analyses indicated that race and ambiguity had an interactive effect on providers' decisions, such that decisions varied as a function of ambiguity for white but not for black patients. Individual differences across providers were observed for the effect of race and ambiguity on decisions; however, providers' implicit and explicit biases did not account for this variability. These data highlight the complexity of racial disparities and suggest that differences in care between white and black patients are, in part, attributable to the nature (ie, ambiguity) of the clinical scenario. The current study suggests that interventions to reduce disparities should differentially target patient, provider, and contextual factors.

PERSPECTIVE

This study examined the unique and collective influence of patient race, provider racial bias, and clinical ambiguity on providers' pain management decisions. These results could inform the development of interventions aimed at reducing disparities and improving pain care.

Racial Differences in Satisfaction with VA Health Care: A Mixed Methods Pilot Study

INTRODUCTION

As satisfied patients are more adherent and play a more active role in their own care, a better understanding of factors associated with patient satisfaction is important.

PURPOSE

In response to a United States Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital Report Card that revealed lower levels of satisfaction with health care for African Americans compared to Whites, we conducted a mixed methods pilot study to obtain preliminary qualitative and quantitative information about possible underlying reasons for these racial differences.

METHODS

We conducted telephone interviews with 30 African American and 31 White veterans with recent inpatient and/or outpatient health care visits at three urban VA Medical Centers. We coded the qualitative interviews in terms of identified themes within defined domains. We summarized racial differences using ordinal logistic regression for Likert scale outcomes and used random effects logistic regression to assess racial differences at the domain level.

RESULTS

Compared to Whites, African Americans were younger (p < 0.001) and better educated (p = 0.04). Qualitatively, African Americans reported less satisfaction with trust/confidence in their VA providers and healthcare system and less satisfaction with patient-provider communication. Quantitatively, African Americans reported less satisfaction with outpatient care (odds ratio = 0.28; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.10-0.82), but not inpatient care. At the domain level, African Americans were significantly less likely than Whites to express satisfaction themes in the domain of trust/confidence (odds ratio = 0.36; 95 % CI 0.18-0.73).

CONCLUSION

The current pilot study demonstrates racial differences in satisfaction with outpatient care and identifies some specific sources of dissatisfaction. Future research will include a large national cohort, including Hispanic veterans, in order to gain further insight into the sources of racial and ethnic differences in satisfaction with VA care and inform future interventions.

Reducing CKD risks among vulnerable populations in primary care

Ethnic/racial and socioeconomic status disparities in the health-care and clinical outcomes of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are pervasive. The vast majority of care to decrease incidence of CKD risk and progression occurs in primary care settings. High-quality primary care, therefore, represents a key strategy through which disparities in the incidence and progression of CKD may be eliminated. The Chronic Care Model provides a framework for the delivery of high-quality primary care for chronic diseases, and it is frequently used to guide health-care quality improvement initiatives. Evidence suggests that Chronic Care Model constructs, including provider and organizational quality improvement initiatives focused on team approaches to chronic care (eg, case management, community health workers), are effective in modifying patients' CKD risks among ethnic minority and low-income patients. Other Chronic Care Model constructs, including clinical information systems (eg, disease registries), decision support interventions, and the provision of patient-centered care have been shown to improve processes related to CKD care but with limited and/or mixed effects on patient outcomes. Few studies have examined the effect of these approaches on reducing disparities. Research is needed to examine the effectiveness of these strategies to eliminate CKD disparities among vulnerable populations.

Prevalence and Severity of Symptoms in a Sample of African Americans and White Participants

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2013), African Americans have a substantially greater prevalence of a range of health conditions when compared to other racial or ethnic groups. Many of these conditions have been attributed to the historical and contemporary social and economic disparities faced by the African American community. While many health conditions occur at a higher rate in African Americans, it is unclear whether there are specific symptom clusters that may also be more prevalent in African Americans as a result of these disparities. Potential differences in symptomology have not been thoroughly examined between African Americans and White populations. The current study compares the prevalence and pain severity of symptoms among a sample of African Americans and White participants. Significant differences in symptom prevalence were found in disturbed sleep and reproductive areas. African Americans also experience more pain due to symptoms related to orthostatic intolerance. Implications of this finding are discussed.

Associations between patient-provider communication and socio-cultural factors in prostate cancer patients: a cross-sectional evaluation of racial differences

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association between socio-cultural factors and patient-provider communication and related racial differences.

METHODS

Data analysis included 1854 men with prostate cancer from a population-based study. Participants completed an assessment of communication variables, physician trust, perceived racism, religious beliefs, traditional health beliefs, and health literacy. A multi-group structural equation modeling approach was used to address the research aims.

RESULTS

Compared with African Americans, Caucasian Americans had significantly greater mean scores of interpersonal treatment (p<0.01), prostate cancer communication (p<0.001), and physician trust (p<0.001), but lower mean scores of religious beliefs, traditional health beliefs, and perceived racism (all p values <0.001). For both African and Caucasian Americans, better patient-provider communication was associated with more physician trust, less perceived racism, greater religious beliefs (all p-values <0.01), and at least high school education (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Socio-cultural factors are associated with patient-provider communication among men with cancer. No evidence supported associations differed by race.

PRACTICE IMPLICATION

To facilitate patient-provider communication during prostate cancer care, providers need to be aware of patient education levels, engage in behaviors that enhance trust, treat patients equally, respect religious beliefs, and reduce the difficulty level of the information.

Perceived discrimination, patient trust, and adherence to medical recommendations among persons with sickle cell disease

BACKGROUND

Adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) report experiencing discriminatory behavior from some healthcare providers. The impact of discrimination on health outcomes in SCD, including adherence to physician recommendations, is not known.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to evaluate the association between perceived discrimination from healthcare providers and nonadherence to physician recommendations among persons with SCD, and to test the potentially mediating role of patient trust.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients with SCD (age 15 years and older) participating in the Improving Patient Outcomes with Respect and Trust (IMPORT) Study.

MAIN MEASURES

Perceived discrimination from healthcare providers and reported adherence to physician recommendations were assessed by patient self-report using items from the 2001 Commonwealth Fund Health Survey. Interpersonal trust in medical professionals was assessed using the short form of the Wake Forest Trust in Medical Professionals instrument.

DESIGN

We used a cross-sectional analysis of IMPORT participant data. Multivariable Poisson regression models were used to test the independent association of discrimination with adherence and to test patient trust as a potential mediator.

KEY RESULTS

Among 273 SCD patients with complete data on all variables of interest, patients reporting experiences of discrimination in the healthcare system were 53% more likely to also report being nonadherent to physician recommendations. Trust in medical professionals appeared to mediate the discrimination/nonadherence relationship, accounting for 50% of the excess prevalence of nonadherence among those experiencing discrimination.

CONCLUSION

SCD patient perceptions of discriminatory experiences from healthcare providers are associated with greater nonadherence to physician recommendations, and may be a potential factor contributing to disparities in health and health quality among this patient population. Perceived discrimination appears to affect adherence behaviors through the pathway of patient trust. Improving relationships between healthcare providers and SCD patients may improve the trust that SCD patients have in medical professionals, which in turn may improve other outcomes among this underserved patient population.

Perceived injustice predicts stress and pain in adults with sickle cell disease

Research evidence shows that perceived injustice is a context-based unfair treatment that has negative influence on health outcomes. We examined the contribution of patients' perceived injustice regarding interactions with health care providers to stress and pain in adults with sickle cell disease (SCD). This study was a cross-sectional correlational pilot study. Included in the study were adults with SCD who received their care from a university-affiliated comprehensive sickle cell clinic. Participants were 52 adults whose mean age was 34 ± 11 years (minimum [min] 20 years, maximum [max] 70 years). Most of the patients were African American (n = 48, 92%) and female (n = 41, 79%). Forty-eight patients (92%) reported having a high school diploma or higher. Participants completed the perceived injustice questionnaire, perceived stress questionnaire, and the PAINReportIt, which includes questions to measure pain and demographics. We analyzed the data using the linear regression analyses. Perceived injustice from doctors was a significant predictor of perceived stress (p < .001) and pain (p = .002). Perceived injustice from nurses also was a significant predictor of perceived stress (p < .001) and pain (p = .02). The procedural, distributive, and informational domains of perceived injustice attributed to both doctors and nurses consistently predicted patients' perceived stress, but only the procedural and distributive domains of perceived injustice consistently predicted patients' pain. Findings suggest that perceived injustice was negatively associated with stress and pain in adults with SCD and warrant further investigation in a larger sample.

Smoking cessation among African American and white smokers in the Veterans Affairs health care system

OBJECTIVES

We examined whether a proactive care smoking cessation intervention designed to overcome barriers to treatment would be especially effective at increasing cessation among African Americans receiving care in the Veterans Health Administration.

METHODS

We analyzed data from a randomized controlled trial, the Veterans Victory over Tobacco study, involving a population-based electronic registry of current smokers (702 African Americans, 1569 whites) and assessed 6-month prolonged smoking abstinence at 1 year via a follow-up survey of all current smokers. We also examined candidate risk adjustors for the race effect on smoking abstinence.

RESULTS

The interaction between patient race and intervention condition (proactive care vs. usual care) was not significant. Overall, African Americans had higher quit rates than Whites (13% vs. 9%; P < .006) regardless of condition.

CONCLUSIONS

African Americans quit at higher rates than Whites. These findings may be a result of the large number of veterans receiving smoking cessation services and the lack of racial differences in receipt of these services as well as racial differences in smoking history, self-efficacy, and motivation to quit that favor African Americans.

A study of perceived racial discrimination in Black men who have sex with men (MSM) and its association with healthcare utilization and HIV testing

In HPTN 061, a study of Black men who have sex with men (MSM), we evaluated the association of healthcare-specific racial discrimination with healthcare utilization and HIV testing among 1167 HIV-negative participants. Median age was 38 years, 41 % were uninsured, and 38 % had an annual household income <$10,000. Overall, 19 % reported healthcare-specific racial discrimination directed toward family, friend, or self; 61 % saw a healthcare provider in the previous 6 months and 81 % HIV tested within the past year. Healthcare-specific racial discrimination was positively associated with seeing a provider [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.4 (1.0, 2.0)] and HIV testing [AOR = 1.6 (1.1, 2.4)] suggesting that barriers other than racial discrimination may be driving health disparities related to access to medical care and HIV testing among Black MSM. These results contrast with previous studies, possibly due to measurement or cohort differences, strategies to overcome discrimination, or because of greater exposure to healthcare.

Efficacy of a DVD-based smoking cessation intervention for African Americans

INTRODUCTION

Previous research suggests that African American smokers may have improved outcomes if interventions are culturally specific. However, few interventions sufficiently address the unique needs of this population in a format with large reach potential. The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of a newly developed digital video disc (DVD)-based cessation intervention targeting African Americans.

METHODS

In a 2-arm randomized trial, smokers (N = 140) were randomly assigned to view either the new Pathways to Freedom (PTF) DVD or a standard control DVD. Participants were assessed at baseline, immediately postviewing the DVD, and at a 1-month follow-up. The primary outcomes were feasibility and process variables, including intervention evaluations, readiness to quit, and risk perceptions, and smoking-related behavior changes were examined as secondary outcomes.

RESULTS

Findings demonstrated the hypothesized positive effects of the PTF DVD compared with the control DVD on content evaluations, risk perceptions, and readiness to quit at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

We found initial evidence for the efficacy of the PTF DVD as a stand-alone intervention. Future research will test the efficacy of the DVD for smoking cessation in a larger randomized trial. The ultimate goal of this research is to validate a new intervention for an underserved community of smokers that can be used in multiple settings, such as community health clinics, primary care, quitlines, cessation clinics, and seminars/workshops.

Proactive tobacco treatment for low income smokers: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial

Background

There is a high prevalence of smoking and high burden of tobacco-related diseases among low-income populations. Effective, evidenced-based smoking cessation treatments are available, but low-income smokers are less likely than higher-income smokers to use these treatments, especially the most comprehensive forms that include a combination of pharmacotherapy and intensive behavioral counseling.

Methods/Design

The primary objectives of this randomized controlled trial are to compare the effects of a proactive tobacco treatment intervention compared to usual care on population-level smoking abstinence rates and tobacco treatment utilization rates among a diverse population of low-income smokers, and to determine the cost-effectiveness of proactive tobacco treatment intervention. The proactive care intervention systematically offers low-income smokers free and easy access to evidence-based treatments and has two primary components: (1) proactive outreach to current smokers in the form of mailed invitation materials and telephone calls containing targeted health messages, and (2) facilitated access to free, comprehensive, evidence-based tobacco cessation treatments in the form of NRT and intensive, telephone-based behavioral counseling. The study aims to include a population-based sample (N = 2500) of adult smokers enrolled in the Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP), a state-funded health insurance plan for low-income persons. Baseline data is obtained from MHCP administrative databases and a participant survey that is conducted prior to randomization. Outcome data is collected from a follow-up survey conducted 12 months after randomization and MHCP administrative data. The primary outcome is six-month prolonged smoking abstinence at one year and is assessed at the population level. All randomized individuals are asked to complete the follow-up survey, regardless of whether they participated in tobacco treatment. Data analysis of the primary aims will follow intent-to-treat methodology.

Discussion

There is a critical need to increase access to effective tobacco dependence treatments. This randomized trial evaluates the effects of proactive outreach coupled with free NRT and telephone counseling on the population impact of tobacco dependence treatment. If proven to be effective and cost-effective, national dissemination of proactive treatment approaches would reduce tobacco-related morbidity, mortality, and health care costs for low income Americans.

Clinical trials registration

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01123967

Preventive health care among HIV positive women in a Utah HIV/AIDS clinic: a retrospective cohort study

Background

Despite evidence that HIV positive women may suffer higher rates of heart disease, diabetes, human papillomavirus infection, and some types of cancer, the provision of preventive health services to HIV positive women is unknown. Preventive health services recommended for such women include breast, colorectal and cervical cancer screening, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, vaccinations, and patient counseling on a number of issues including sexual behaviors.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study utilized medical record reviews of 192 HIV positive women who were patients at the University of Utah Infectious Diseases Clinic in 2009. Medical records were reviewed for all encounters during 2009 using a standardized data collection form; data were collected on patient demographics and a variety of preventive health services. Chi squared tests were used to assess receipt of preventive health services by demographic factors, and multivariable logistic regression was used to determine predictors of receiving select services.

Results

The most commonly recorded preventive services included blood pressure screening, screening for Hepatitis A and B, Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis vaccination, Pneumococcal pneumonia vaccination, substance abuse screening, and mental health screening. STI testing and safe sex counseling were documented in the medical records of only 37% and 33.9% of women, respectively. Documentation of cancer screening was also low, with cervical cancer screening documented for 56.8% of women, mammography for 65% (N = 26/40) of women, and colorectal cancer screening for 10% (N = 4/40) of women, where indicated. In multivariable models, women with private health insurance were less likely to have documented STI testing (OR 0.20; 95% CI 0.08 - 0.52), and, Hispanic women were less likely to have documented safe-sex counseling (OR 0.26; 95% CI 0.07 - 0.94).

Conclusions

HIV/AIDS providers should focus on the needs of all women for preventive care services, including those with fewer socio-demographic risk factors (i.e., insured, stable housing etc.). In addition, failure to provide STI testing, cancer screening, or safe sex counseling to all patients represents a missed opportunity for provision of services that are important from both a clinical and public health perspective.

Decisional support throughout the cancer journey for older women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer: a single institutional study

To determine if older women with early stage breast cancer have sufficient decisional support during their breast cancer journey, a questionnaire-based study was conducted at the Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Women with stages I and II breast cancer, ≥60 years, were contacted upon completion of their adjuvant treatment. A questionnaire was developed based on focus groups, the literature, and consultation with patients and a multidisciplinary team of experts. The questionnaire was divided into six domains as follows: (1) information support surrounding diagnosis, (2) impact of cancer diagnosis on the patient, (3) quality of interaction with healthcare team, (4) decisional support from the healthcare team, (5) additional information needs surrounding treatment decision, and (6) information support during radiation treatment. Ninety-two of 137 patients approached were included in the analysis. Ninety percent were > 60 years at the time of diagnosis and 65% had stage I invasive breast cancer. The majority of women received adequate decisional support during their cancer journey. Approximately 90% of women indicated that they received a high level of support during their cancer diagnosis. We found no significant differences in overall decisional support based on age at diagnosis, education level, ethnicity, or the presence of co-morbidities. However, participants desired additional educational resources such as a worksheet, consultation summary, or workbook to assist in making a treatment decision. The majority of participants felt that they had sufficient support while making a treatment decision for breast cancer.

Effectiveness of a dissonance-based eating disorder prevention program for ethnic groups in two randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVE

As young women from certain ethnic minority groups have reported less pursuit of the thin ideal and body dissatisfaction than European American young women we tested whether a dissonance-based prevention program designed to reduce thin-ideal internalization among women with body dissatisfaction is less effective for the former relative to the later groups. We also tested whether intervention effects are larger when participants from minority groups worked with a facilitator matched versus not matched on ethnicity.

METHOD

In Study 1, 426 female undergraduates (M age=21.6, SD=5.6) were randomized to clinician-led Body Project groups or an educational control group. In Study 2, 189 female undergraduates were randomized to peer-led Body Project groups or a waitlist control condition.

RESULTS

Although there was some variation in risk factor scores across ethnic groups, ethnic minority participants did not demonstrate consistently higher or lower risk relative to European American participants. Intervention effects did not significantly differ for participants from minority groups versus European American participants in either trial. There was no evidence that effects were significantly larger when minority participants and facilitators were matched on ethnicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest that the Body Project is similarly effective for African American, Asian American, European American, and Hispanic female college students, and when participants and facilitators are matched or not on minority ethnicity status, implying that this prevention program can be broadly disseminated in this population.