Rheumatoid Arthritis Care Experiences of Black People Living in Canada: A Qualitative Study to Inform Health Service Improvements
Authors' conclusion
Our study highlights unique considerations based on race and ethnicity and provides suggestions for arthritis care to mitigate inequities for Black people living with arthritis.
Study context
- Population
- Black people living in Canada with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and health care professionals6 women and 2 men with RA
- Outcome
- Experiences related to RA care: challenges and facilitators for access to health care services, medications, and enacting preferred treatment plans
Methodological detailssemi-structured qualitative interviews, purposive and respondent driven sampling, thematic analysis (Braun and Clarke), inductive and deductive coding, critical race theory guiding analysis
- Semi-structured qualitative interviews
- Purposive and respondent driven sampling
- Thematic analysis (Braun and Clarke)
- Inductive and deductive coding
- Critical race theory guiding analysis
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Themes from interviews
- Racial identity contributed to understanding of RA, treatment preferences and outcome goals
- Health care access influenced by financial limitations, racism, exclusion and discrimination, cultural norms in seeking care and RA awareness in the Black community
- Health system fragmentation; not connected to ancillary supports
- Treatment decision-making influenced by legacy of oppression and medical experimentation on Black people and predominance of biomedical approaches emphasized by providers
- Holistic and cultural approaches in safe, trauma-informed care environments, with flexible service models, are desired
- Partnerships between arthritis care services and Black community organizations proposed to promote awareness and community support
Original publication
Rheumatoid Arthritis Care Experiences of Black People Living in Canada: A Qualitative Study to Inform Health Service Improvements. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). Published 26 January 2024. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →