Do patient preferences contribute to racial differences in cardiovascular procedure use?

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Health Disparities
• Patient Decision-Making

Background:

• Coronary revascularization procedures are common treatments for coronary artery disease.
• Understanding patient preferences is crucial for effective treatment decisions.
• Racial disparities in healthcare utilization exist, necessitating investigation into patient-level factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate potential differences in patient preferences for coronary revascularization procedures between White and Black Americans.
• To identify factors influencing patient willingness to undergo procedures like angioplasty or coronary artery bypass surgery.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was conducted at a tertiary care Department of Veterans Affairs hospital.
• Interviews were held with outpatients and inpatients awaiting cardiac catheterization.
• The study included 118 Black and 234 White participants.

Main Results:

• Black patients were less inclined towards revascularization procedures compared to White patients.
• Familiarity with the procedures emerged as a stronger predictor of positive attitudes than race.
• Age and employment status also influenced patient interest in revascularization.

Conclusions:

• Racial differences in revascularization rates may be partly explained by patient preferences.
• Patient familiarity with procedures is a key determinant of their willingness to undergo revascularization.
• Enhanced patient-provider communication regarding revascularization is recommended for all racial groups.