Improving Imaging Care for Diverse, Marginalized, and Vulnerable Patient Populations

Abstract

Although much attention has been paid to the reduction of disparities in health care within the United States, these issues continue to exist. Such efforts include increased focus on patient centeredness and cultural responsivity. These concepts are based on the recognition that diverse, marginalized, and vulnerable patients may possess different physical, psychologic, or social characteristics that contribute to their diversity and susceptibility. Such patients may face numerous obstacles and barriers when seeking medical care, including financial constraints, difficulties with communication, a limited understanding of how to navigate the health care system, and not feeling welcomed, respected, or safe. It is essential that the radiologist and members of the radiology care team understand and embrace patients' unique characteristics to provide effective and appropriate care to all patients. This article illustrates the spectrum of knowledge that benefits radiologists and members of the radiology care team when interacting with and providing care for the growing pool of diverse, marginalized, and vulnerable patients. © RSNA, 2018 • Abbreviations: LEP = limited English proficiency, LGBTQ = lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer, PTSD = posttraumatic stress disorder

Strategies for Inclusive Medical Imaging Environments for Sexual and Gender Minority Patients and Radiographers: An Integrative Literature Review

“…Such strategies could also be more informal through continuing professional development and in-service training opportunities [10,13,14,39,40]. Education and training should also focus on the correct terminology to use when addressing individuals with differing sexual orientations and gender identities as well as cultural competence through an intersectionality lens [4,15,37,39,46]. By implication, one can argue that education and training should also be provided in organisations to ensure that all employers and employees are more sensitive, culturally aware and competent to ensure greater diversity integration.…”

“…These challenges are prevalent in health care settings globally. Although there are calls to promote and provide inclusive health care services to all people, regardless of their diverse individualities, the realities are that health care environments are not totally inclusive at present; SOGI individuals still experience several challenges [3][4][5].…”

Barriers to breast cancer screening are worsened amidst COVID-19 pandemic: A review

“… 14 Physicians' nonverbal and interpersonal communication behaviors related to empathy were found to be more important to minority patients than the verbal transmission of health-related information. 15 Listening and spending time were especially important aspects of health interactions for Asian and Hispanic patients, whereas African Americans valued participating in decision-making and building a trusting relationship with providers. 15 However, physical distancing, masks, personal protective equipment (PPE) worn by the physicians created barriers in effective physician-patient communication during the COVID-19 Pandemic.…”

Breast Imaging in Transgender Patients: What the Radiologist Should Know

“…Radiologists must embrace each patient's selfidentification, be cognizant of their distinctive medical needs, create a welcoming and safe practice, and ultimately diagnose and treat patients appropriately (9). One of the most important steps in developing and maintaining doctor-patient trust is to greet and address the transgender patient by using appropriate terminology.…”