Racial equity in and through medical interaction scholarship: A scoping review

Area of Science:

• Health Communication
• Health Equity Research
• Patient-Provider Interaction Studies

Background:

• Racial health disparities persist, influenced by patient-provider communication.
• Understanding communication scholarship is crucial for advancing racial health equity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically scope communication scholarship within racial health equity.
• To characterize the landscape of research on patient-provider interactions regarding racial equity.

Main Methods:

• A systematic scoping review identified 454 relevant articles.
• Iterative development of a codebook analyzed article characteristics, methodologies, and theoretical frameworks.
• 206 studies were included in the final analysis.

Main Results:

• Studies were published in 76 journals, predominantly using survey and interview methods.
• Most research focused on general patient experiences, with cancer control being the most common specific condition.
• Limited inclusion of Native American, Pacific Islander, and transgender individuals; research primarily centered on patient experiences, lacking theoretical depth.
• Key constructs included patient-provider communication, racial bias, and shared decision-making, with varied integration of equity.

Conclusions:

• There is a significant need for theory development that centers health equity in communication.
• Insights provide a foundation for interventions to improve equity in clinical interactions.