Cultural Factors and Communication During Medical Consultations with HIV-Positive Racial/Ethnic Minority Patients

摘要: CULTURAL FACTORS AND COMMUNICATION DURING MEDICAL CONSULTATIONS WITH HIV-POSITIVE RACIAL/ETHNIC MINORITY PATIENTS By Lillian Flores Stevens, M.A. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for degree Doctor Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. University, 2010 Major Director: Stephen M. Auerbach, Ph.D. Professor Psychology Department This study examined relationships between cultural characteristics, communication variables, and medical outcomes HIV-positive racial/ethnic minority patients. Participants included 33 patients 5 providers across two urban, community clinics. The patient sample was 61% African American, 24% Latino, 15% Other/Mixed. majority (73%) were male. Providers one White female physician, male nurse practitioner, practitioners, physician assistant. In this descriptive study, completed self-report ratings their desire engagement decision-making prior to scheduled consultation. After consultations, rated provider regarding decision-making, interpersonal communication, working alliance. Patients also measures acculturation, fatalism, familism, mistrust. patients’ style, alliance immediately after Measures CD4 count viral load obtained from records. Cultural characteristics not related decisionmaking. Patient perceptions being highly informed involved satisfaction or immune functioning. affiliation control, complementarity these two, found have any significant relation Though a outcome, perception stronger higher marginally significant. match on bond subscale correspond IMI complementarity. hypotheses supported, certain demographic variables significantly associated with outcomes. For example, use antiretroviral medications lower gender (i.e., male) CD4. limitations directions future research are discussed.