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01-12-2021 | Care | Review Article

Marginalized patient identities and the patient-physician relationship in the cancer care context: a systematic scoping review

Authors: Elizabeth Palmer Kelly, Julia McGee, Samilia Obeng-Gyasi, Chelsea Herbert, Rosevine Azap, Alizeh Abbas, Timothy M. Pawlik

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 12/2021

Abstract

Purpose

We sought to examine and categorize the current evidence on patient-physician relationships among marginalized patient populations within the context of cancer care using a systemic scoping review approach.

Methods

Web-based discovery services (e.g., Google Scholar) and discipline-specific databases (e.g., PubMed) were queried for articles on the patient-physician relationship among marginalized cancer patients. The marginalized populations of interest included (1) race and ethnicity, (2) gender, (3) sexual orientation and gender identity, (4) age, (5) disability, (6) socioeconomic status, and (7) geography (rural/urban). Study screening and data extraction were facilitated through the Covidence software platform.

Results

Of the 397 screened studies, 37 met study criteria—most articles utilized quantitative methodologies (n = 28). The majority of studies focused on racial and ethnic cancer disparities (n = 27) with breast cancer (n = 20) as the most common cancer site. Trust and satisfaction with the provider were the most prevalent issues cited in the patient-physician relationship. Differences in patient-physician communication practices and quality were also frequently discussed. Overall, studies highlighted the need for increased culturally congruent care among providers.

Conclusion

Results from this review suggest marginalized cancer patients face significant barriers in establishing culturally and linguistically congruent patient-physician relationships. Future studies should focus on the intersectionality of multiple marginalized identities and optimization of the patient-physician relationship.

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Title: Marginalized patient identities and the patient-physician relationship in the cancer care context: a systematic scoping review
Authors: Elizabeth Palmer Kelly
Julia McGee
Samilia Obeng-Gyasi
Chelsea Herbert
Rosevine Azap
Alizeh Abbas
Timothy M. Pawlik
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keyword: Care
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 12/2021
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-021-06382-8

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