Race/Ethnicity and Health Care Communication: Does Patient-Provider Concordance Matter?

Sweeney, Casey F.; Zinner, Darren; Rust, George; Fryer, George E.

doi:10.1097/mlr.0000000000000578

Cited by 54Patient-Provider Communication in HealthcareCultural Competency in Health CareDiversity and Career in Medicine

Race/Ethnicity and Health Care Communication: Does Patient-Provider Concordance Matter?

Sweeney, Casey F., Zinner, Darren, Rust, George, Fryer, George E.·2016·Medical Care

DOI 10.1097/mlr.0000000000000578

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Abstract

Background: Although many minority patients would prefer a provider of their own race/ethnicity, the influence of this relationship on patient-provider communication remains unknown. This analysis examined the effect of patient-provider race/ethnicity concordance on patient-reported provider communication quality using data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey years 2002–2012. Methods: Ordinary least squares regressions were executed on communication rating, measured by the Consumer Assessment of Health Providers and Systems. Results: Only 13.8% of black, non-Hispanic patients reported their usual source of care provider matched their race/ethnicity, compared with 94.4% of white, non-Hispanic patients and 43.8% of Hispanic patients. Differences in communication ratings were driven by patient race, rather than provider race. Although black, non-Hispanic patients rate their communication significantly higher than their counterparts overall, there was no significant influence of patient-provider racial concordance on ratings of communication when controlling for other sociodemographic variables. Conclusions: Minorities may seek the services of minority providers, but they are not more satisfied with patient-provider communication experience than when in race-discordant provider arrangements.

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Previous studies on patient-clinician racial/ethnic or gender concordance have shown mixed or inconclusive results.
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From Exploring the Importance of Race and Gender Concordance Between Patients and Physical Therapists in Digital Rehabilitation for Musculoskeletal Conditions: Observational, Longitudinal Study (2024) · cites this paper as [14]

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Authors: Sweeney, C. F., Zinner, D., Rust, G., & Fryer, G. E.
Affiliations: MGH Institute of Health Professions (US)
Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
Florida State University (US)
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (US)
Corresponding author: Sweeney, Casey F.
ORCID: Sweeney, Casey F.
Rust, George
Venue: Medical Care
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Published: 2016-11
Volume: 54
Issue: 11
Pages: 1005-1009
ISSN: 0025-7079 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000000578
OpenAlex: W2405249750
Cited by: 54
References: 38
Citations by year: 2026: 7 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 2 · 2015: 1
FWCI: 8.07
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: Medical Care (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Patient-Provider Communication in Healthcare
Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Cultural Competency in Health Care
Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Diversity and Career in Medicine
Keywords: race and ethnicity, patient-provider communication, communication quality, racial disparities in health care, minority patients, Black patients, Hispanic patients, usual source of care, patient satisfaction
MeSH terms: Adolescent, Adult, Black or African American, Communication, Female, Hispanic or Latino, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Physician-Patient Relations, Patient Satisfaction, White People, Racial Groups, Young Adult

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Race/Ethnicity and Health Care Communication: Does Patient-Provider Concordance Matter?

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