Differences in Cancer Patient Experience by Race, Ethnicity, and Preferred Language: A Systematic Review.

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Oncology
• Health Equity

Background:

• Patient experience is a key indicator of high-quality, patient-centered care and influences value-based health system metrics.
• Existing research highlights disparities in cancer care access and clinical outcomes among different patient groups.
• This review focuses on understanding how the cancer patient experience varies by race, ethnicity, and preferred language.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and summarize findings on disparities in the cancer patient experience based on race, ethnicity, and preferred language.
• To identify how patient experience metrics differ across racial, ethnic, and linguistic groups within cancer care.
• To inform strategies for reducing inequities in cancer care delivery.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted using PRISMA guidelines across major databases (PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL) through August 2023.
• Included studies involved cancer patients comparing racial, ethnic, and/or preferred language groups, focusing on patient experience outcomes.
• Study quality was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute tools, with independent data extraction by two authors.

Main Results:

• Thirty-six studies encompassing 292,345 cancer patients met the inclusion criteria.
• Twenty-three studies found that racial and ethnic minority groups reported worse experiences compared to non-Hispanic White patients.
• Nine studies indicated that cancer patients with a preference for a non-English language reported worse experiences than those preferring English.

Conclusions:

• Cancer patients from racial, ethnic, or linguistic minority groups are more likely to have poorer care experiences than non-Hispanic White patients.
• There is considerable variation in the definition and measurement of patient experience across studies.
• Addressing these identified disparities is essential for optimizing cancer care, achieving clinical outcome goals, and ensuring health system equity.