This post is a summary of the paper: Racial and ethnic disparities in the perception of respect from physicians among skin cancer patients in the United States.
Authors: Lauren M. Fahmy, BS, Celina M. Schreidah, BS, Arisa J. Geskin, MD
Skin cancer affects people from all walks of life, but research shows that racial and ethnic minorities often face greater challenges in their treatment journey. A recent study from 2008 to 2017/2019 sheds light on an important aspect of this issue: how patients perceive their interactions with healthcare providers.
In this study involving over 5,500 participants, including 207 minorities, researchers explored whether there are differences in how patients feel respected, listened to, and informed during their visits with doctors. The findings revealed significant disparities: minorities, including Black, Asian, Native American, Alaskan Native, Hispanic, and multiracial individuals, reported feeling less respected (44% lower odds), listened to (36% lower odds), and explained to (53% lower odds) compared to non-Hispanic white patients.
These insights are not just numbers; they affect real-life health outcomes. When patients don’t feel respected or understood by their healthcare providers, they are less likely to seek timely care, stick to treatment plans, and follow up as needed — crucial factors in managing conditions like skin cancer effectively.
The study points to several factors contributing to these disparities, including biases among healthcare providers, language barriers, and historical mistrust within minority communities. Improving communication between patients and doctors is key to bridging these gaps. By ensuring respectful, attentive, and clear conversations during medical visits, healthcare providers can help reduce disparities and improve outcomes for all patients facing skin cancer.
It’s important to acknowledge the study’s limitations, such as its reliance on self-reported data and the relatively small size of the minority group studied. Additionally, while the findings reflect patient perspectives, they may not capture all aspects of provider communication dynamics.
In essence, fostering better patient-physician communication isn’t just about being polite; it’s about creating an environment where every patient, regardless of background, feels valued and understood. By working towards this goal, healthcare providers can play a pivotal role in achieving more equitable care for everyone affected by skin cancer.