1. Equity in patient-provider communication regarding treatment-related symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among breast cancer survivors
- Author
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Katrina R. Ellis, Samuel Cykert, Alexandra F. Lightfoot, Eugenia Eng, Beth Smith, Karen Foley, Neda Padilla, Linda Robertson, Cleo A. Samuel, Kristin Z. Black, Jennifer Schaal, Mellissa K Yee, Jemeia Kollie, Claire Morse, Lucretia Hoffman, and Christina Yongue
- Subjects
Gerontology ,Health related quality of life ,Cancer Research ,Equity (economics) ,business.industry ,Symptom management ,Participatory action research ,medicine.disease ,Focus group ,Breast cancer ,Oncology ,Medicine ,In patient ,business ,Psychosocial - Abstract
127 Background: Compared with white breast cancer patients, black patients more often report inadequate symptom control and decrements in health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Racial differences in patient-provider communication (PPC) are well-documented and linked to worse health outcomes for minorities; however, less is known about inequities in symptom and HRQOL discussions among cancer patients and providers. As part of an NCI-funded systems change intervention to improve racial equity in treatment completion among Black and White cancer patients, we assessed racial differences in PPC regarding treatment-related symptoms, HRQOL issues (e.g., physical, psychosocial, financial, and spiritual well-being), and symptom management among breast cancer survivors (BCS). Methods: We conducted 6 focus groups (FGs) and semi-structured interviews with 22 stage 1-3 BCS (3 black FGs; 3 white FGs) from 2 cancer centers. Guided by a community-based participatory research approach, our diverse community-academic-medical team facilitated FGs and conducted qualitative analyses. Results: Although both black and white BCS reported multiple treatment-related symptoms and changes in HRQOL, perspectives on PPC differed. Some black and white BCS described positive aspects of PPC, including providers’ thorough explanations of treatment side effects and responsiveness to symptom concerns. However, white BCS expressed greater satisfaction with PPC, while black BCS more often described concerns regarding providers’ verbal (e.g., nondisclosure, dismissiveness) and non-verbal communication (e.g., unapproachability, poor eye contact) skills in the context of symptom management. Most BCS, regardless of race, indicated that providers typically discussed physical symptoms/HRQOL issues, but often failed to mention non-physical side effects of treatment (e.g., social isolation, financial toxicity). Conclusions: Racial differences in PPC exist among BCS and may contribute to inequities in symptom management and HRQOL. Inadequate communication regarding non-physical symptoms likely represents a critical missed opportunity for improving the quality and equity of palliative care.
- Published
- 2016
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