The Relationship of Ethnic, Racial, and Cultural Concordance to Physician–Patient Communication: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review Protocol

Exploring the dynamics of physician‐patient relationships: Factors affecting patient satisfaction and complaints

“…There are several studies that provide evidence that suggest race and ethnicity impact the relationship between patients and physicians. For instance, a systematic review by Miller and colleagues showed patients felt better and more satisfied with physicians in clinical encounters where they received treatment from a physician of the same race, and were subsequently less disposed to filing a complaint 40 . Furthermore, in a comprehensive review done by Cooper and colleagues, patients’ ethnicity and culture were found to affect communication and language comprehension, which they suggested could directly or indirectly influence doctor‐patient relationships 41 .…”

“…While a number of studies have demonstrated that patients may also experience different treatment depending on their race and ethnicity, 42,43 there has been comparatively little work investigating how physicians and patients might bridge racial and cultural barriers to improve the relationship. However, Miller and colleagues found that demographic variables such as level of education and socioeconomic status may affect the magnitude of the effects of race and cultural differences on doctor‐patient relationships 40 . That is, the likelihood of patients’ satisfaction is higher in patients with higher educational levels and socioeconomic status who also have a different race and ethnicity from their physicians.…”

“…For instance, a systematic review by Miller and colleagues showed patients felt better and more satisfied with physicians in clinical encounters where they received treatment from a physician of the same race, and were subsequently less disposed to filing a complaint. 40 Furthermore, in a comprehensive review done by Cooper and colleagues, patients' ethnicity and culture were found to affect communication and language comprehension, which they suggested could directly or indirectly influence doctor-patient relationships. 41 While a number of studies have demonstrated that patients may also experience different treatment depending on their race and ethnicity, 42,43 there has been comparatively little work investigating how physicians and patients might bridge racial and cultural barriers to improve the relationship.…”

“…However, Miller and colleagues found that demographic variables such as level of education and socioeconomic status may affect the magnitude of the effects of race and cultural differences on doctor-patient relationships. 40 That is, the likelihood of patients' satisfaction is higher in patients with higher educational levels and socioeconomic status who also have a different race and ethnicity from their physicians. Disseminating this information more widely to physicians can raise awareness about how characteristics and social constructs, including race, ethnicity, socio-demographic factors, and culture can impact the physician-patient relationship.…”

Investigating Deferral Rates in Cochlear Implantation: How Often Do Candidates Defer and Why?

“…Numerous studies have cited patient-physician racial and cultural concordance as a way to improve the health disparities witnessed in the non-White patient population in the United States. Patients may feel more likely to trust a physician who looks or talks like them (17). This reflects the necessity of capturing these demographically heterogeneous patients after their referrals and working to improve racial concordance with their medical providers.…”