Race/ethnicity and Americans' experiences with treatment decision making. Issue 12 (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lin, Meng-Yun; Kressin, Nancy R.
• Is Part Of: Patient education and counseling. Volume 98:Issue 12(2015)
• Page Start: 1636
• Page End: 1642
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Shared decision-making -- Disparities -- Survey research; Patient education -- Periodicals; Health counseling -- Periodicals; Health education -- Periodicals; Counseling -- Periodicals; Patient Education -- Periodicals; Éducation des patients -- Périodiques; Counseling -- Périodiques; Éducation sanitaire -- Périodiques; 615.5071
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2015.07.017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0738-3991

Abstract

Highlights: Americans' experiences with treatment decision making slightly differ by race/ethnicity. Racial/ethnic minorities received less information about treatment recommendation, on some but not all dimensions assessed. Physicians should make efforts to ensure they convey similar messages to all patients Abstract: Objective: Despite widespread documentation of racial/ethnic disparities in medical care, population-wide variation in Americans' experiences with care are not well understood. We examined whether race/ethnicity is associated with information received from physicians regarding treatment recommendations. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of cross-sectional survey data from a nationally representative sample ( N = 1238). We assessed patients' personal experiences of receiving information about the rationale for treatment recommendations from their physicians. Results: Overall, respondents of minority race/ethnicity received less information from their doctors about the rationale for treatment recommendations. After adjustment for possible confounders, doctors talked less often with patients of 'other' race/ethnicity about reasons for treatment recommendations. Both Blacks' and Hispanics' doctors less often cited their own experiences, or scientific research as a reason for treatment recommendations. Conclusion: Americans' experiences with information communicated by physicians regarding treatment rationale varies significantly on some dimensions by race/ethnicity, suggesting that differences in key elements of shared decision making are evident in the care of racial/ethnic minorities. Practice implications: Physicians should evaluate the extent to which their communication with patients varies by patient race/ethnicity, and make efforts to ensure that they share equally with all patients regarding the rationale for treatment recommendations.