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Lower colorectal cancer screening rates among African Americans contribute to higher colorectal cancer incidence and mortality. We tested the effects of a racially-targeted messaging intervention that used favorable behavioral norm information to increase uptake of at-home Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) Kits. We expected stronger intervention effects among African Americans with stronger racial identity. Eligible African Americans were randomized to one of four intervention conditions: injunctive norm message, descriptive norm message, both messages, neither message. The norm-based messages were delivered via an animated video health message. Background variables, constructs defined by the theory of planned behavior, racial identity, screening modality preferences, and uptake and return of FIT Kits were assessed. Of 205 participants, 111(54%) requested FIT Kits. Contrary to hypotheses, multigroup path analyses indicated stronger effects of targeted messages among African Americans with weaker racial identity. Findings highlight the importance of within-race heterogeneity in the receptivity to racially-targeted health messages., Author(s): Mark Manning [sup.1] [sup.2] [sup.4] , Todd Lucas [sup.2] [sup.3] , Hayley Thompson [sup.1] [sup.2] , Louis Penner [sup.1] [sup.2] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.254444.7, 0000 0001 1456 7807, Department [...]

ObjectiveTo investigate associations between ratings of "thin slices" from recorded clinic visits and perceived patient-centeredness; to compare ratings from video recordings (sound and images) versus audio recordings (sound only).MethodsWe analyzed 133 video-recorded primary care visits and patient perceptions of patient-centeredness. Observers rated thirty-second thin slices on variables assessing patient affect, physician affect, and patient-physician rapport. Video and audio ratings were collected independently.ResultsIn multivariable analyses, ratings of physician positive affect (but not patient positive affect) were significantly positively associated with perceived patient-centeredness using both video and audio thin slices. Patient-physician rapport was significantly positively associated with perceived patient-centeredness using audio, but not video thin slices. Ratings from video and audio thin slices were highly correlated and had similar underlying factor structures.ConclusionPhysician (but not patient) positive affect is significantly associated with perceptions of patient-centeredness and can be measured reliably using either video or audio thin slices. Additional studies are needed to determine whether ratings of patient-physician rapport are associated with perceived patient-centeredness.Practice implicationsObserver ratings of physician positive affect have a meaningful positive association with patients' perceptions of patient-centeredness. Patients appear to be highly attuned to physician positive affect during patient-physician interactions.

IntroductionThe Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research (RCMAR) program was launched in 1997. Its goal is to build infrastructure to improve the well-being of older racial/ethnic minorities by identifying mechanisms to reduce health disparities.MethodsIts primary objectives are to mentor faculty in research addressing the health of minority elders and to enhance the diversity of the workforce that conducts elder health research by prioritizing the mentorship of underrepresented diverse scholars.ResultsThrough 2015, 12 centers received RCMAR awards and provided pilot research funding and mentorship to 361 scholars, 70% of whom were from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups. A large majority (85%) of RCMAR scholars from longstanding centers continue in academic research. Another 5% address aging and other health disparities through nonacademic research and leadership roles in public health agencies.ConclusionsLongitudinal, team-based mentoring, cross-center scholar engagement, and community involvement in scholar development are important contributors to RCMAR's success.

Background: Cancer clinical trial participation is low and inequitable. Partnering Around Cancer Clinical Trials (PACCT) addressed systemic and interpersonal barriers through an observational study of eligibility and an intervention to improve patient–physician communication and trial invitation rates. Methods: Physicians at two comprehensive cancer centers and Black and White men with prostate cancer participated. Patients were followed for 2 years to determine whether they became potentially eligible for an available therapeutic trial. Potentially eligible patients were randomized to receive a trials‐focused Question Prompt List or usual care. Patient–physician interactions were video‐recorded. Outcomes included communication quality and trial invitation rates. Descriptive analyses assessed associations between sociodemographic characteristics and eligibility and effects of the intervention on outcomes. Results: Only 44 (22.1%) of participating patients (n = 199) became potentially eligible for an available clinical trial. Patients with higher incomes were more often eligible (>$80,000 vs. <$40,000, adjusted OR = 6.06 [SD, 1.97]; $40,000–$79,000 vs. <$40,000, adjusted OR = 4.40 [SD, 1.81]). Among eligible patients randomized to the intervention (n = 19) or usual care (n = 25), Black patients randomized to the intervention reported participating more actively than usual care patients, while White intervention patients reported participating less actively (difference, 0.41 vs. −0.34). Intervention patients received more trial invitations than usual care patients (73.7% vs. 60.0%); this effect was greater for Black (80.0% vs. 30.0%) than White patients (80.0% vs. 66.7%). Conclusions: Findings suggest the greatest enrollment barrier is eligibility for an available trial, but a communication intervention can improve communication quality and trial invitation rates, especially for eligible Black patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]