Race and Blackness: A Thematic Review of Communication Challenges Confronting the Black Community Within the U.S. Health Care System

Comfort Tosin Adebayo, Kimberly Walker, Maren Hawkins, Oluwatoyin Olukotun, Leslie Shaw, Erin Sahlstein Parcell, Anne Dressel, Heidi Luft, Lucy Mkandawire-Valhmu

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Effective communication is integral to the patient–provider relationship. Yet, as a result of structural factors that ignore the unique health care needs of different populations of patients who identify as Black—both African American and African immigrants—are confronted with communication challenges during health care seeking encounters. Using cultural safety as a framework, in this article, we thematically review communication challenges specifically experienced by patients of African descent in the U.S. health care system. In our review, we focus on complications that might arise from discrimination, mistrust, health literacy, and impacts of culture and language barriers on health literacy. In conclusion, we offer recommendations for improving the health care experiences and potential health outcomes for this population, through nursing care and health care delivery.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)397-405
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Transcultural Nursing
Volume31
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1 2020
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • African Americans
  • African immigrants
  • Black community
  • communication
  • cultural safety

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Nursing

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