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Communication between South Asian patients and GPs: comparative study using the Roter Interactional Analysis System
Richard D Neal1, Nasreen Ali, Karl Atkin
1Department of General Practice, Cardiff University. nealrd@cf.ac.uk
Summary
Communication patterns between UK South Asian and white patients and their GPs differ. White patients and GPs engaged in more emotionally expressive consultations, while GPs provided less information to South Asian patients, potentially impacting health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- General Practice
- Health Communication
- Sociology of Health
Background:
- UK South Asian populations experience poorer health outcomes compared to white populations.
- Limited understanding exists regarding the general practice care process for South Asians, particularly communication dynamics with General Practitioners (GPs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare communication styles between white patients and South Asian patients (both fluent and non-fluent in English) interacting with white GPs.
- To identify potential disparities in patient-GP communication that may influence healthcare experiences and outcomes.
Main Methods:
- An observational study was conducted involving 183 video-recorded general practice consultations.
- Consultations were analyzed using the Roter Interactional Analysis System (RIAS) to assess communication patterns, consultation length, and verbal dominance.
- Comparisons were made between white patients, English-fluent South Asian patients, and non-English-fluent South Asian patients.
Main Results:
- Consultation length varied significantly, with non-fluent South Asian patients having the longest consultations and fluent South Asian patients the shortest.
- White patients and their GPs engaged in more affective (emotional) communication and exhibited more active roles during consultations compared to South Asian patients.
- GPs allocated less time to providing information to South Asian patients, especially those non-fluent in English, and spent more time asking questions.
Conclusions:
- Observed communication differences between English-fluent and non-fluent South Asian patients were as expected, but disparities between white and English-fluent South Asian patients require further investigation.
- It remains unclear whether observed GP communication behaviors were systematic or responsive to patient needs and expectations.
- These communication differences may contribute to the observed disparities in health outcomes between ethnic groups.
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