Physicians' use of mamography information for low-income, female African-American patients

The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

3358.0: Monday, November 11, 2002 - 9:30 PM

Abstract #39910

Pamela Pine, PhD, MPH, CHES, Communications Department, Futures Group, 1050 17th Street, NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 775-9680, p.pine@tfgi.com

Rationale: To better understand determinants of physicians’ provision of mammography information to low-income, female African-American patients, and to identify practical, targeted public solutions for addressing the high incidence and mortality in low-income, African-American women, a model was developed that identified psychosocial factors (physician attitudes, communication skills, perceived barriers, self-efficacy), environmental, and socio-demographic factors hypothesized to have an effect on physicians’ patient education about mammography, and applied with 75 family physicians in a Maryland county using a pre-tested, self-administered anonymous survey. Multivariate regression analyses were conducted. Results: Ethnicity accounted for an important proportion of variance in physician behavior. Attitudes, Skills, and Barriers accounted for most of psychosocial explanatory power. Self-efficacy and Insurer Factors provided less explanation of variance. The model is strong (r=.54) (1)*. Conclusions: The model provides insight into elements of physician’s provision of patient education with low-income African-American patients. Certain psychosocial variables are more important than others (skills, barriers, self-efficacy). Physicians’ ethnicity may be important to their patient education behavior with low-income African-American patients. The model helps guide the direction of how to address the involvement of physicians and African-American women in what they should and can do to reduce risk of developing breast cancer.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

1. State, in general or more specific terms, the status of breast cancer for low-income, African-American women compared to their white counterparts [a comparison of incidence, mortality, and preventive measures].
2. Discuss the important role of the family physician with regard to the provision of information to low-income African-American women.
3. Identify and discuss the likely determinants of physicians’ behavior with regard to the provision of information to low-income African-American women.
4. Discuss the practical implications of this research for medical education in this country and elsewhere, and for reducing the burden of disease on individuals and populations

Keywords: Physicians, African American

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Using Health Communication and Social Marketing to Reach Diverse Racial/Ethnic Populations

The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA