Race/ethnicity and Americans' experiences with treatment decision making

Despite widespread documentation of racial/ethnic disparities in medical care, population-wide variation in Americans' experiences with care are not well understood. We examined whether race/ethnicity is associated with information received from physicians regarding treatment recommendations.

We conducted a secondary analysis of cross-sectional survey data from a nationally representative sample (N=1238). We assessed patients' personal experiences of receiving information about the rationale for treatment recommendations from their physicians.

Overall, respondents of minority race/ethnicity received less information from their doctors about the rationale for treatment recommendations. After adjustment for possible confounders, doctors talked less often with patients of 'other' race/ethnicity about reasons for treatment recommendations. Both Blacks' and Hispanics' doctors less often cited their own experiences, or scientific research as a reason for treatment recommendations.

Americans' experiences with information communicated by physicians regarding treatment rationale varies significantly on some dimensions by race/ethnicity, suggesting that differences in key elements of shared decision making are evident in the care of racial/ethnic minorities.

Physicians should evaluate the extent to which their communication with patients varies by patient race/ethnicity, and make efforts to ensure that they share equally with all patients regarding the rationale for treatment recommendations.