Publication: Physicians/Patients Identify Differences and Impact on Delayed Cancer Care in JAMA Oncology

A new study authored by Vishal R. Patel, BS, Dr. Alex B. Haynes, MD, MPH (Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin), Dr. Karen Winkfield, M.D., PhD (Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN), Dr. Arjun Gupta, MD, Dr. Anne H. Blaes, MD, MS (Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis), Dr. Quasim Hussaini, MD, MS (Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, MD) was published in JAMA Oncology on March 30, 2023. The study examines how differences in identity (race, gender, culture, etc.) between cancer survivors and their clinicians can lead to missed medical care.

Using data from the NIH’s All of Us Research program housed at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, the study found that cancer survivors were nearly 50% more likely than cancer-free controls to have delayed or skipped medical care because of their clinician’s race, gender, or other identity.

Overall, researchers found that a lack of physician diversity continues to be a barrier to care for patients with cancer. Recommended next steps include:

  • Advocate for policies to promote workforce diversity
  • Expand training for clinicians to provide inclusive care
  • Tailored health plans for underrepresented groups

To read the full publication, please click here.

Author Affiliations:

1Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin (Patel VR, Haynes AB)

2Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (Gupta A, Blaes AH)

3Meharry–Vanderbilt Alliance, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee (Winkfield KM)

4Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland (Hussaini SMQ)