The Evaluation of the Relationship between Racial Health Disparities and the Patient-Provider Relationship

The Evaluation of the Relationship between Racial Health Disparities and the PatientProvider Relationship by Andrea N. Curry MHA, Walden University, 2014 BS, Christian Brothers University, 2005 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Health Services Walden University November 2018 Abstract African Americans are adversely affected by health disparities due to the complexities of the patient-provider relationship. The behavioral model of health services was used as the theoretical framework to understand how individuals make healthcare utilization decisions. The purpose of the research was to evaluate how the patient-provider relationship influences inconsistent doctor visits by African American patients despite the prevalence of chronic conditions. 45 African Americans located in Shelby County,African Americans are adversely affected by health disparities due to the complexities of the patient-provider relationship. The behavioral model of health services was used as the theoretical framework to understand how individuals make healthcare utilization decisions. The purpose of the research was to evaluate how the patient-provider relationship influences inconsistent doctor visits by African American patients despite the prevalence of chronic conditions. 45 African Americans located in Shelby County, Tennessee were included in this study. A cross-sectional quantitative design was used to collect the data via an online survey. The 45 collected responses were analyzed by performing multiple linear regression, Pearson correlation, and Cronbach’s . Results of the analyses were statistically significant in proving that education level, income, gender of African Americans, and having health insurance affect the patient-provider relationship. It was determined by the statistically significant results that the patientprovider relationship had an effect on African American patients’ decision to seek healthcare services and medication compliance and follow-up medical care. This information may guide the conversation within the Shelby County, Tennessee African American community regarding what role the patient-provider relationship has when addressing health disparities among African Americans. The Evaluation of the Relationship between Racial Health Disparities and the PatientProvider Relationship by Andrea N. Curry MHA, Walden University, 2014 BS, Christian Brothers University, 2005 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Health Services Walden University November 2018 Dedication I dedicate this research to the legacy of my uncle, Mr. Gardner Jones. In 2015, two days before he passed away, I promised him that I would make him proud and finish this degree. I cherish his memory and devote my research efforts to understanding health disparities and the importance of African Americans seeking necessary healthcare treatment. There is never any period of time that goes by that I do not think of my uncle. He meant so much to me and my family. I wish he was still here to see me accomplish what I started on March 2, 2015. I often wonder how differently things may have turned out for my uncle if he would have sought medical treatment sooner for his illness. I want my research to make a difference by helping to bridge the gap that is evident within the patient-provider relationship involving African Americans. Acknowledgments I would like to thank Dr. Cheryl Cullen for her unwavering support and encouragement. When I had doubts about my progress and whether I was on track, Dr. Cheryl never hesitated to offer me motivation to keep going. I often felt as if I was not meeting expectations, but she always assured me that I was doing an awesome job. I could not have completed this project without her patience and resilience. I would like to thank my parents, my little brother, and my grandmother. They were my sounding boards when I needed to share my frustrations or celebrate milestones. Their faith in me helped me to remain focused despite the chaos that life can bring. It was my mother who encouraged me to pursue a PhD, so I am confident that she saw something in me that I doubted existed. I want to also thank my friend of over 30 years, Lachre Brown, for her consistent friendship. She kept me encouraged throughout all of graduate school. I can never repay her for always praying for me and keeping me inspired.