Current Health Status of Blacks in the United States: The Case for Future Improvement of Healthcare Delivery

2020 ◽  
pp. 169-176
Author(s):  
Richard Allen Williams
2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ojong Samuel AKOMBENG ◽  
Luchuo Engelbert Bain ◽  
Christiane Nsahlai ◽  
Elvis E. Tarkang ◽  
Ombaku Kingsley ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Patient satisfaction is a quality of care measure and reveals patients’ appreciation of healthcare delivery. We sought to measure patient satisfaction following major gynaecological surgeries in 2 University Teaching Hospitals in Yaounde, Cameroon.Methods Ours was a cross-sectional, prospective study over 9 months (October 1 st 2018, to June 30 th 2018) at the Yaounde Gynaeco-Obstetric and Paediatric Hospital (YGOPH) and the Yaounde Central Hospital (YCH). By administering a modified Surgical Satisfaction Questionnaire (SSQ-8) via phone call 6 months after surgery we appreciated and scored key aspects linked to patient satisfaction, and obtained information on post-operative complications. Data was analysed using Microsoft Excel 18 and SPSS 21 setting significance at p<0.05.Results We recruited 72 patients aged 24 to 68 years. Our participants had a mean satisfaction score of 26 ± 7.854 (59.7% satisfied and 40.3% dissatisfied). All aspects tested on the SSQ-8 questionnaire influenced patient satisfaction. Patients who said they were satisfied with pain control after surgery (OR=0.207 CI=0.070–0.609, P=0,003), and with surgical results in the SSQ-8 questionnaire (OR=0.053, CI=0.011–0.254, P<0.001) achieved statistically significant post-operative satisfaction. Contrarily, patients who were dissatisfied with surgery results (OR=132.000, CI=15.256-114.131, P< 0.001) and those who developed complications (OR=7.922, CI=2.241 – 28.004, P<0.001) were significantly dissatisfied with surgery. Additionally, 47.2% declared a poor post-operative current health status versus 52.8% who claimed a good post-operative current health status. Following multivariate analysis, satisfaction with the results of surgery (aOR= 0.071, CI=0.008–0.657, P= 0.020) and the occurrence of complications (aOR=7.284, CI=1.146 – 46.273, P=0.035) were the main determinants of patient satisfaction. Patient current health status evolved similarly to patient satisfaction and especially by satisfaction with time taken to resume work (aOR=0.039, CI=0.004-0.398, P=0.006) and pre-operative exercise routine (aOR=0.038, CI=0.002–0.678, P-value=0026).Conclusion Patient satisfaction with elective gynaecological surgery is low and determined by post-operative experiences and the occurrence of complications. Also, patient self-reported current health status tends to evolve similarly to satisfaction following surgery.


Statistically, there are data that support the persistent existence of health disparities in the United States. Should healthcare systems and facilities be held accountable by their state and the federal government to show evidence of improvements in recognizing and resolving disparities experienced by vulnerable populations receiving care within their organizations? The answer to this question is yes. If healthcare systems consistently produce data indicative of poor health outcomes for vulnerable populations, interventions should be identified to improve healthcare delivery and quality. Improvements in the health status of all Americans is contingent upon a united front by all Americans in ending health disparities.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 215013272110183
Author(s):  
Azza Sarfraz ◽  
Zouina Sarfraz ◽  
Alanna Barrios ◽  
Kuchalambal Agadi ◽  
Sindhu Thevuthasan ◽  
...  

Background: Health disparities have become apparent since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. When observing racial discrimination in healthcare, self-reported incidences, and perceptions among minority groups in the United States suggest that, the most socioeconomically underrepresented groups will suffer disproportionately in COVID-19 due to synergistic mechanisms. This study reports racially-stratified data regarding the experiences and impacts of different groups availing the healthcare system to identify disparities in outcomes of minority and majority groups in the United States. Methods: Studies were identified utilizing PubMed, Embase, CINAHL Plus, and PsycINFO search engines without date and language restrictions. The following keywords were used: Healthcare, raci*, ethnic*, discriminant, hosti*, harass*, insur*, education, income, psychiat*, COVID-19, incidence, mortality, mechanical ventilation. Statistical analysis was conducted in Review Manager (RevMan V.5.4). Unadjusted Odds Ratios, P-values, and 95% confidence intervals were presented. Results: Discrimination in the United States is evident among racial groups regarding medical care portraying mental risk behaviors as having serious outcomes in the health of minority groups. The perceived health inequity had a low association to the majority group as compared to the minority group (OR = 0.41; 95% CI = 0.22 to 0.78; P = .007), and the association of mental health problems to the Caucasian-American majority group was low (OR = 0.51; 95% CI = 0.45 to 0.58; P < .001). Conclusion: As the pandemic continues into its next stage, efforts should be taken to address the gaps in clinical training and education, and medical practice to avoid the recurring patterns of racial health disparities that become especially prominent in community health emergencies. A standardized tool to assess racial discrimination and inequity will potentially improve pandemic healthcare delivery.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document