C01 – The Use of Emerging Technological Platforms in Combating Racial Health Disparities in Primary Care

Summary

Many racial and ethnically diverse communities have higher mortality rates from chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease than non-Hispanic Whites. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 32% of Hispanic/Latinos, 22% of African Americans, 19% of Asian Americans and 30% of American Indians are uninsured compared to 14% of non-Hispanic Whites. The impact of these statistics has been documented in the primary care setting, with African Americans, Asian Americans, and Hispanic/Latinos less likely than non-Hispanic Whites to have a personal primary care provider. Racial and ethnically diverse populations are also more likely than non-Hispanic Whites to report experiencing poorer quality patient-provider interactions as well as perceived discrimination from the health care team. More than one approach will be needed to address health disparities and systemic racism in health care in order to achieve health equity consistently. One approach is through alterations in primary care workforce development. This presentation will focus on how to create and alter curricula for trainees that encourages the examination of implicit and explicit biases regarding racial health disparities as well as the use of sociocultural, constructivist, and transformational learning approaches to encourage reflection with trainee-generated content (TGC) through creative podcasting. Doctoral-level health service psychology trainees in an integrated primary care course engaged in creative podcasting to promote deep learning related to racial and ethnic health disparities during the spring 2021 semester. This presentation will also discuss trainee experiences with creative podcasting, how this impacted their learning and reflective practices, and the importance of how TGC can promote reflection on issues of racial health equity, trainee engagement, and allow trainees, especially trainees from racially marginalized groups, a more equitable learning experience between the trainee and primary care educator.