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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Claudia A. Rosu, MD and Nancy A. Miller, PhD. Public Policy, University of Maryland Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Pub Pol Bldg. Rm. 446, Baltimore, MD 21250, 410-455-1385, crosu1@umbc.edu

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States and racial/ethnic minority patients diagnosed with cancer share a disproportionate burden of this disease. In particular, breast cancer is worrisome because mortality is higher among African-American women compared to Caucasian women, despite a lower incidence rate in the former. These trends had remained constant for the past ten years and although genetic and biologic terrain is important, quality of care seems to play a significant role in these disparities. An emerging hypothesis is that racial/ethnic differences in quality of care are determined by the interpersonal processes of care, i.e. the interaction between the patient and the physician in terms of communication, patient involvement in the medical decision-making, and physician interpersonal style. Yet, little is known about the role of interpersonal processes of care in racial/ethnic disparities in medical care. The present research is an exploratory study that investigates this novel area. Eighty women diagnosed with breast cancer completed the Interpersonal Processes of Care Questionnaire, primarily through in-person interviews. The data analysis suggested differences in patient-physician interactions which may in turn, influence the stage of cancer at diagnosis. The present study highlights the influence of specific aspects of provider behavior on health outcomes as opposed to a general satisfaction evaluation, provides knowledge of minority patients' perspective on the meaning of concepts like cultural sensitivity, discrimination, or respectfulness, and attempts to fill a gap in the data on racial/ethnic disparities in cancer care.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Assess the role of interpersonal processes of care in racial/ethnic disparities in health care
• Recognize the influence of patient-physician interactions on individuals' health-seeking behaviors
• Identify the relationship between interpersonal processes of care and cancer stage at diagnosis in women diagnosed with breast cancer

Keywords: Breast Cancer, African American

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered