The Presence 5 for Racial Justice Framework for anti-racist communication with Black patients

Area of Science:

• Health equity
• Racial justice in healthcare
• Patient-centered communication

Background:

• Racism negatively impacts the health and healthcare experiences of Black patients.
• Effective communication is crucial for building trust and addressing health disparities.
• Existing frameworks may not adequately address the nuances of anti-Black racism in clinical settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify communication strategies for clinicians to address racism faced by Black patients.
• To explore methods for building trusting relationships between clinicians and Black individuals.
• To empower Black patients within the clinical care environment.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving 112 participants, including Black patients, nonmedical professionals, and clinicians.
• Human-centered design and community-based participatory research principles informed the multi-phased project.
• Interviews and focus groups explored anti-racist communication and patient-clinician trust, with analysis guided by a national community advisory board.

Main Results:

• The Presence 5 for Racial Justice (P5RJ) framework emerged, detailing five key practices.
• Practices include preparing with intention, listening intently, agreeing on priorities, connecting with the patient's story, and exploring emotional cues.
• These practices are designed to address the impact of anti-Black racism on patient health and healthcare interactions.

Conclusions:

• P5RJ offers actionable communication practices to combat racism experienced by Black patients.
• Successful implementation requires clinician self-reflection, commitment, and institutional support.
• Addressing patient needs and eliciting their stories are vital for effective care.