The Presence 5 for Racial Justice Framework for anti-racist communication with Black patients

Publication Date

12-1-2022

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Health Services Research

Volume

57

Issue

S2

DOI

10.1111/1475-6773.14015

First Page

263

Last Page

278

Abstract

Objective: To identify communication practices that clinicians can use to address racism faced by Black patients, build trusting relationships, and empower Black individuals in clinical care. Data Sources: Qualitative data (N = 112 participants, August 2020–March 2021) collected in partnership with clinics primarily serving Black patients in Leeds, AL; Memphis, TN; Oakland, CA; and Rochester, NY. Study Design: This multi-phased project was informed by human-centered design thinking and community-based participatory research principles. We mapped emergent communication and trust-building strategies to domains from the Presence 5 framework for fostering meaningful connection in clinical care. Data Collection Methods: Interviews and focus group discussions explored anti-racist communication and patient–clinician trust (n = 36 Black patients; n = 40 nonmedical professionals; and n = 24 clinicians of various races and ethnicities). The Presence 5 Virtual National Community Advisory Board guided analysis interpretation. Principal Findings: The emergent Presence 5 for Racial Justice (P5RJ) practices include: (1) Prepare with intention by reflecting on identity, bias, and power dynamics; and creating structures to address bias and structural determinants of health; (2) Listen intently and completely without interruption and listen deeply for the potential impact of anti-Black racism on patient health and interactions with health care; (3) Agree on what matters most by having explicit conversations about patient goals, treatment comfort and consent, and referral planning; (4) Connect with the patient's story, acknowledging socioeconomic factors influencing patient health and focusing on positive efforts; (5) Explore emotional cues by noticing and naming patient emotions, and considering how experiences with racism might influence emotions. Conclusion: P5RJ provides a framework with actionable communication practices to address pervasive racism experienced by Black patients. Effective implementation necessitates clinician self-reflection, personal commitment, and institutional support that offers time and resources to elicit a patient's story and to address patient needs.

Funding Number

6382

Funding Sponsor

Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation

Keywords

African American, Black, communication, community-based participatory research, design thinking, human-centered design, patient care, qualitative

Department

Communication Studies

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