Findings from a number of studies provide substantial evidence of significant race/ethnicity disparities in treatments received for a wide range of conditions and illnesses. These studies indicate that a significant portion of disparities persist independent of appropriateness, payer, and treatment site. Although there has been limited study of the provider, patient and encounter factors contributing to these treatment disparities, there is growing evidence that provider referral and recommendation patterns account for some of the race/ethnicity-based variance in treatment. The substantial body of research and theory on social cognition and interaction provides one useful framework for guiding inquiry into influence of patient race/ethnicity on providers’ assessment of patients and clinical decision-making. This body of research points to a number of mechanisms through which patient demographic characteristics may influence encounters and encounter outcomes. In addition, it has major implications for the design of effective interventions and the likely value of cultural competency programs. This presentation will describe relevant findings from the social cognition field, the hypotheses these findings suggest regarding likely contributors to race/ethnicity disparities in treatment, and summarize evidence related to these hypotheses. The hypotheses emerging from the social-psychological literature on social cognition will be organized into a framework for guiding future research and intervention on race/ethnicity disparities in care.
Learning Objectives: Participants will gain an understanding of the implications of research on social cognition, stereotype activation and application, and social interaction for research and interventions in race/ethnicity disparities in treatments received. Participants will learn about a practical framework to guide inquiry and intervention on non-financial causes of race/ethnicity disparities in treatments received.
Keywords: Access to Care, Minority Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.