Plain language summary
Patient-centred culturally sensitive health care is based on views of culturally diverse patients rather than the views of health care professionals. Empowering patients to share their views concerning culturally sensitive health care is a manifestation of patient centeredness. This study presents an empirical evaluation of a literature-based Patient Centred Culturally Sensitive Health Care Model. The model was designed to explain the link between patient-centred culturally sensitive health care and patients’ treatment adherence, health promoting behaviours, and health outcomes. A total of 229 patients participated in this study, out of which 110 were African American and 119 self-identified as non-Hispanic White American. Results revealed significant links between patient-perceived provider cultural sensitivity and patient adherence to provider recommended treatment regimen variables, with some differences in associations emerging by race/ethnicity. Among both racial/ethnic groups, providing cultural sensitivity had direct effects on trust and satisfaction with care. The effect on care satisfaction was stronger for the African American patients whereas the effect on trust was stronger for the White American patients. Authors conclude that empowering racial/ethnic minorities and individuals with low household incomes to have increased control in patient-provider interactions and in community participatory health promotion interventions may be an important strategy for improving their health and health care utilization.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This article presents the results of an empirical test of a literature-based Patient-Centered Culturally Sensitive Health Care Model. The model was developed to explain and improve health care for ethnically diverse patients seen in community-based primary care clinics. DESIGN Samples of predominantly low-income African American (n = 110) and non-Hispanic White American (n = 119) patients were recruited to complete questionnaires about their perceived health care provider cultural sensitivity and adherence to their provider's treatment regimen recommendations. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Patients completed written measures of their perceived provider cultural sensitivity, trust in provider, interpersonal control, satisfaction with their health care provider, physical stress, and adherence to provider-recommended treatment regimen variables (i.e., engagement in a health promoting lifestyle, and dietary and medication adherence). RESULTS Two-group path analyses revealed significant links between patient-perceived provider cultural sensitivity and adherence to provider treatment regimen recommendations, with some differences in associations emerging by race/ethnicity. CONCLUSION The findings provide empirical support for the potential usefulness of the Patient-Centered Culturally Sensitive Health Care Model for explaining the linkage between the provision of patient-centered, culturally sensitive health care, and the health behaviors and outcomes of patients who experience such care.
Methodological quality
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