RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Patients’ Beliefs About Racism, Preferences for Physician Race, and Satisfaction With Care JF The Annals of Family Medicine JO Ann Fam Med FD American Academy of Family Physicians SP 138 OP 143 DO 10.1370/afm.282 VO 3 IS 2 A1 Frederick M. Chen A1 George E. Fryer, Jr A1 Robert L. Phillips, Jr A1 Elisabeth Wilson A1 Donald E. Pathman YR 2005 UL http://www.annfammed.org/content/3/2/138.abstract AB PURPOSE Few studies have attempted to link patients’ beliefs about racism in the health care system with how they use and experience health care. METHODS Using telephone survey data from a national sample of 1,479 whites, 1,189 African Americans, and 983 Latinos, we explored patients’ beliefs about racism, their preferences for the race and ethnicity of their physician, and their satisfaction with that physician. A scale was developed to reflect patients’ beliefs about racism. Race-stratified analyses assessed associations between patients’ beliefs, racial preferences for physicians, choice of physician, and satisfaction with care. RESULTS Among African Americans, stronger beliefs about racial discrimination in health care were associated with preferring an African American physician (P <.001). Whereas only 22% of African Americans preferred an African American physician, those who preferred a African American physician and had an African American physician were more likely to rate their physician as excellent than did African Americans who preferred a African American physician but had a non–African American physician (57% vs 20%, P <.001). Latinos with stronger beliefs about discrimination in health care were more likely to prefer a Latino physician (P <.001). One third of Latinos preferred a Latino physician. Though not statistically significant, those who preferred and had a Latino physician rated their physician higher than Latinos who preferred a Latino physician but had a non-Latino physician (40% vs 29%). CONCLUSIONS Many African Americans and Latinos perceive racism in the health care system, and those who do are more likely to prefer a physician of their own race or ethnicity. African Americans who have preferences are more often satisfied with their care when their own physicians match their preferences.