Ethnic disparities in perceived racism, patient-provider communication and healthcare utilization: Asian Americans.

BACKGROUND

Race is a consequential sociocultural cue in healthcare contexts. Racism is associated with health disparities by influencing patient-provider communication and utilization of healthcare services.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate how Asian American subgroups differ in their perception of everyday racism, internalized racism, and perceived racism in healthcare settings and whether these perceptions predict their interactions with their health care providers and their utilization of healthcare services.

METHODS

An online survey study was conducted. ANOVA tests were employed to compare the differences in perceptions of everyday racism, internalized racism, and perceived racism in the healthcare system among Filipino ( = 310), Japanese ( = 242), Chinese ( = 287), Asian Indian ( = 304), Korean ( = 199) and Vietnamese ( = 151) participants. Multiple regression analyses assessed whether perceptions of everyday racism, internalized racism, and perceived racism in the healthcare system predicted healthcare service utilization and patient-provider communication among the Asian subgroups sampled.

RESULTS

There were significant group differences in perceived everyday racism ( = 8.56,  < .001), internalized racism ( = 3.46,  < .01), perceived racism in healthcare ( = 4.57,  < .001). Perceptions of racism and socioeconomic variables were found to predict patient-provider communication and utilization of healthcare services disparately across various Asian subgroups. For instance, the perception of everyday racism was a significant predictor of patient-provider communication for each of the subgroups, excluding the Vietnamese participants. Internalized racism was a significant predictor only for Filipino and Chinese participants. Surprisingly, perceived racism in healthcare was not a predictor for any of the subgroups.

CONCLUSION

Findings highlight the complex interplay of sociodemographic factors and perceived racism in shaping patient-provider communication and healthcare service utilization within the Asian American community. Implications are suggested for addressing the unique challenges faced by different Asian American subgroups and for promoting equitable healthcare access and fostering positive patient-provider relationships among the Asian American subgroups.