TRUST OF PHYSICIANS AND SATISFACTION AMONG MINORITY PATIENTS WITH ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE. L.A. Petersen 1 , T.C. Collins 2 , N.R. Kressin 3 ; 1 VAMC, Houston, Texas; 2 Baylor College of Medicine; 3 Boston University, Bedford, Massachusetts PURPOSE: Studies show that African ± Americans (AAs) are less satisfied with their health care. Since AAs have historically experienced bias within the health care system, and recent work suggests bias on the part of physicians toward minority patients, the goal of this study was to assess racial differences in patients' trust and satisfaction with their physicians regarding decision-making for coronary disease treatment. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 431 males with nuclear imaging studies graded as positive for cardiac ischemia (71.6%self-reported white, 28.4%self-reported AA) at 5 VA hospitals (Houston, Atlanta, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Durham). We collected survey data using the published Trust in Physician scale, Seattle Angina Questionnaire, and new items developed from focus groups. RESULTS: There was no difference in mean age of the groups. AAs were less likely than whites to be``completely satisfied'' that everything possible is being done for their cardiac symptoms (44.4%vs 51.4%, respectively; P = 0.05). There was a trend toward more AAs reporting dissatisfaction with explanations provided by the physician (14.8%vs. 8.0%; P = 0.12). Though all patients had positive imaging studies, equal percentages (33.4%vs 33.8%; P = 0.98) thought they``did not have heart disease''. There were no racial differences in the percentage reporting that their heart condition was``not at all serious'' (3.2%vs 3.1%; P = 0.97). There were no racial differences in the percentage of patients who preferred to leave all treatment decisions to their doctors, who agreed with statements that doctors knew the patient' s medical and personal situations, or who reported that doctors were respectful or were concerned about them. Despite racial differences in overall satisfaction with medical care, there were no differences in the percentage who agreed that they``trust the doctor' s judgments about medical care'' (85.3%vs 88.7%; P = 0.17) or who stated that the doctor was``well qualified to manage medical problems'' (83.0%vs 87.5%; P = 0.79). CONCLUSION: Though we found racial differences in satisfaction with care and with physician ± patient communication, there were no racial differences in patients' trust of their physicians. Further work should assess whether there are racial differences in the construct of trust not captured with current measurement scales as well as develop strategies to improve physician ± patient communication and satisfaction with care.