Disparities in Patient Experiences, Health Care Processes, and Outcomes: the Role of Patient–provider Racial, Ethnic, and Language Concordance
Year: 2004
Type: article
Abstract: Ethnic minorities are poorly represented among physicians and other health professionals. In what is called “race-discordant” relationships, patients from ethnic groups frequently are treated by professionals from a different ethnic background. The research reviewed here documents ongoing racial and ethnic disparities in health care and links patient–physician race and ethnic concordance with higher patient satisfaction and better health care processes. Based on this research, the authors issue the following recommendations: 1) health policy should be revised to encourage workforce diversity by funding programs that support the recruitment of minority students and medical faculty; 2) health systems should optimize their providers’ ability to establish rapport with minority patients to improve clinical practice and health care delivery; 3) cultural competency training should be incorporated into the education of health professionals; and 4) future research should provide additional insight into the mechanisms by which concordance of patient and physician race, ethnicity, and language influences processes and outcomes of care.
DOI: 10.13016/xfcu-rh1z
Authors: Cooper, Lisa A, Powe, Neil R
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1763714733