Patient-Provider Race Concordance and Medication Adherence: A Systematic Review

Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) have lower rates of traditional medication use and compliance in comparison to their white counterparts. Documented mistreatment and systematic oppression of BIPOC patients in the healthcare system have led to perpetual consequences for this population, including lower rates of medication adherence. This systematic review of the current literature aims to examine the impact of patient-provider race-concordant relationships on medication adherence in BIPOC patients.

A comprehensive and systematic search of published literature was conducted using eight databases, yielding 412 results, each of which was screened by two independent authors. Nine articles met the specified inclusion criteria. After a full-text review, five articles were retained for qualitative synthesis.

Four studies found that patient-provider race concordance was associated with higher cardiovascular and dermatological medication adherence rates in BIPOC patients. One study observed higher rates of medication adherence in Black-Black racially concordant dyads; however, this finding was not significant.

While increased medication adherence rates were observed in patient-provider race concordant dyads, this systematic review did not account for any complex confounding factors that influence an individual's adherence to medication, such as cost, access, or polypharmacy. Increasing diversity in healthcare allows for greater opportunity for patients to be in race-concordant dyads with their providers, thereby enhancing the potential for improved medication adherence.

Patient-provider race concordance was associated with higher medication adherence rates for BIPOC patients.

PROSPERO: CRD42023459428.