Cardinal Health, Dublin, OH
Alexandrina Balanean , Yolaine Jeune-Smith , Cherrishe Brown-Bickerstaff , Bruce A. Feinberg
Background: The Institute of Medicine has reported on policies and practices based on assumptions and misinformation as pervading the educational, clinical, and payer sectors of health care. In these settings, unconscious bias toward marginalized populations can negatively impact patients, providers, health systems, and research. As national focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion expands, we sought to measure oncologists’ perceptions of issues surrounding health inequity in the context of patient care. Methods: In 2022, we surveyed oncologists’ perceptions of patient diversity, health inequity and disparities, unconscious bias, and their impact. Recruitment was conducted within the Cardinal Health Oncology Provider Extended Network (800 US practices). Participation was voluntary and compensated at fair market value. Results: In total, 192 oncologists responded. Of those surveyed: 48% estimated 10%–25% of their patients were in disadvantaged neighborhoods; 40% estimated 10%–25% were Hispanic or non-White; 69% estimated 10%–50% had low health literacy; and 92% estimated < 10% were of sexual/gender minority. 96% felt prepared to talk with underrepresented patients, 80% agreed that health inequities exist, and 49% agreed they are especially prevalent in oncology. The majority also agreed that health inequities cause differences in care, outcomes, and access to care (80%, 82%, and 70%, respectively). 43% thought unconscious bias adversely affects Hispanic/non-White patients, and 74% perceived health care disparities among these patients. Additionally, 73% thought they would benefit from more research/education, and 50% had educated their coworkers on these issues and provided patient resources. Conclusions: Most oncologists are aware of health inequities and their adverse impact on clinical outcomes; they desire more education and want to help underrepresented patients. Health inequity and disparity may be driven subliminally by lower-quality patient-provider communication (eg, decreased conversationality and less participatory decision-making). Efforts at filling this need in oncology should be prioritized.
Agreement that health inequities: | % of Respondents | |
---|---|---|
Exist throughout health care | Agree/strongly agree Neutral Disagree/strongly disagree | 80 11 9 |
Are especially prevalent in oncology | Agree/strongly agree Neutral Disagree/strongly disagree | 49 34 17 |
Cause differences in care (eg, time to diagnosis) | Agree/strongly agree Neutral Disagree/strongly disagree | 80 12 8 |
Lead to differences in patient: | Outcomes Access to care Financial impact Engagement Team-based care | 82 70 60 58 50 |
Agreement that: | ||
Hispanic/non-White patients experience disparity | High/very high Moderate Low/none Declined | 35 40 18 7 |
White providers have unconscious bias against Hispanic/non-White patients | High/very high Moderate Low/none Declined | 22 35 33 10 |
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