Health care disparities: Closing the gap

Racial and ethnic health care disparities are recognized as a major medical and public health problem. The American Medical Association, working with the Commission to End Health Care Disparities, has developed a three hour workshop to educate  physicians about the extent of racial and ethnic health care disparities,  raise awareness regarding the impact of health care disparities, and provide physicians with potential solutions for change. Patient and health professional video vignettes provide the basis for an interactive discussion format. The  workshop focuses on providing physicians with strategies to improve their communication skills, recognize and better serve patients with low health literacy, and incorporate language access mechanisms into their clinical practice. The workshop also focuses on the historical context of racial and ethnic health care disparities, as well as discussions of the role of bias, stereotyping and trust in the medical interaction. By the end of the workshop participants will be able to discuss the range of health care disparities and the impact that health care disparities have; understand the causes for health care disparities; and identify strategies and tools to improve communication between patients and providers.