Preference for same-race health care providers and perceptions of interpersonal discrimination in health care

J Health Soc Behav. 2006 Jun;47(2):173-87. doi: 10.1177/002214650604700206.

Abstract

This article examines black Americans' preference for black health care providers. Using data from a national survey, we assess how blacks 'perceptions of discrimination are related to preference for same-race health care providers. Overall, the belief that discrimination is frequent in different-race doctor-patient dyads is associated with greater preference for a same-race provider However; the belief that discrimination occurs regardless of a doctor's race reduces preference for a same-race provider Finally, general perceptions of discrimination are distinct from concerns about personally being treated unfairly, and low personal concern about unfair treatment reduces preference for a same-race provider among those who believe that interpersonal discrimination occurs frequently. These results suggest a complex picture of how perceptions of discrimination influence preferred race of health care provider among blacks in the United States.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Black or African American / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Patient Satisfaction / ethnology*
  • Physician-Patient Relations*
  • Prejudice*
  • Sex Factors
  • United States