Culturally appropriate patient-provider communication methods for Black women with breast cancer: a scoping review

Black women with breast cancer experience a 40% higher mortality rate compared to white women, and this disparity may be influenced by suboptimal patient-provider communication. Evidence has suggested that Black patients with breast cancer have unique informational needs, yet few studies focus on patient-provider communication for this community. The aim of this scoping review was to identify best practices for communicating breast cancer diagnosis and treatment options with Black women.

Following PRISMA-ScR, a search strategy was developed and implemented in 4 databases and grey literature. Coders achieved reliability and independently screened articles by title and abstract, then full-text. Articles were included if they studied Black patients with breast cancer and reported on patient-provider communication. Outcomes of interest included patients' appraisals of their communication, and associated health outcomes.

A final sample of 27 studies were included. Black patients' positive appraisal of their providers was based on their interactions, rather than providers' perceived expertise. Patients had negative appraisal of communication when they received limited information regarding their treatment plan, side-effects, or possibility of disease recurrence. High-quality communication was associated with adherence to adjuvant therapy; low-quality communication was associated with treatment discontinuation or delay, and lower self-rating of physical well-being.

Patients' perceptions of their quality of communication with their healthcare providers was associated with their treatment decisions and health outcomes. Future research is needed to test interventions that optimize communication between Black breast cancer patients and their providers, including discussing navigating barriers to care.