On addressing racial and ethnic health disparities - The potential role of patient communication skills interventions

Several factors affect observed racial/ethnic health disparities in the United States. Among them are features of provider-patient communication. In Study 1, the literature in patient communication skills training is reviewed to determine the extent to which researchers have reported comparative effects of interventions designed to enhance patients' communication skills and participation in medical interviews. Of the 27 studies reported, only 1 conducted a comparative analysis. In Study 2, a post hoc analysis of available communication skills training data sets is conducted to explore comparative intervention effectiveness. Similar to the results of the single report found in Study 1, the communication intervention was more effective with White than with non-White patients. These results are discussed with respect to implications for addressing racial/ethnic health disparities.