Nancy R. Kressin|Bei?Hung Chang|Jeff Whittle|Eric D. Peterson|Jack A. Clark|Amy K. Rosen|Michelle B. Orner|Tracie C. Collins|Linda Alley|Laura A. Petersen
Racial Differences in Cardiac Catheterization as a Function of Patients’ Beliefs
objectives examined racial differences cardiac catheterization rates reviewed whether patients beliefs variables associated observed disparities methods prospective observational cohort study 1045 white african american patients 5 veterans affairs va medical centers whose nuclear imaging studies indicated reversible cardiac ischemia results demographic differences white african american patients sample african americans less likely whites undergo cardiac catheterization african americans likely whites indicate strong reliance religion report racial social class discrimination less likely indicate generalized trust people differ white patients numerous attitudes health health care neither sociodemographic clinical characteristics patients beliefs explained observed disparities physicians assessments procedures importance patients likelihood coronary disease seemed account differences otherwise explained conclusions patients preferences likely source racial disparities use cardiac catheterization among veterans using va care physicians assessments warrant attention