Using Experience-Based Co-Design With Resident-Physicians and Black Community Members to Enhance Goals-of-Care...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Health Disparities Research
• Qualitative Research Methods

Background:

• Black patients in the US experience significant disparities in palliative care.
• These disparities include challenges in goals of care conversations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe and appraise an experience-based co-design study.
• To enhance goals of care communication skills training for Black patients using cultural humility.

Main Methods:

• Pilot, modified experience-based co-design study.
• Involved focus groups and interviews with internal medicine residents and Black care partners.
• Utilized reflexive thematic analysis and a co-design workshop.

Main Results:

• Residents prioritized humility, reflection on medical drivers, and self-reflection on personal identity and race.
• Care partners emphasized the importance of advocates, compassionate treatment, and health equity.
• Shared priorities identified for improving communication training.

Conclusions:

• Experience-based co-design is a suitable methodology for enhancing communication skills training.
• The way care is provided is crucial; advocacy personnel can help address palliative care disparities for Black patients.