Keep These 3 Things in Mind When Communicating with Black Patients and Loved Ones

Each February, Black History Month offers a special opportunity to shine a spotlight on the Black community, its history, and the innumerable contributions to this country. February also presents a great chance to bring up and address health care concerns that affect this community. Unfortunately, however, when the calendar rolls over to March, focus can shift too far away from these concerns. Regardless of the setting or background, patients are present and in need of compassionate, personal care year-round. As health professionals, this month may be the right time to educate ourselves on these health topics, but they are always relevant and require discussion. That’s why it’s important to ensure that you are working to communicate effectively with the Black community, no matter what the calendar says.

Keep These 3 Things in Mind When Communicating with Black Patients and Loved Ones

“No two people are alike – and no two patients, family members, are alike. So, when you have spoken with one Black patient or family, then you’ve spoken with one person or one family,” says Carlos Turner, a Hospice Care Consultant, in St. Louis, Missouri. “The Black community is not a monolith, but there are some things it’s important to keep in mind when communicating within the community.”

Develop Relationships Sooner

Too often, Black patients and loved ones don’t have any understanding of what hospice, home health, personal care, or other post-acute caregivers can provide until it’s actually time for that care. Relationships and understanding of services should be developed sooner. Even minor health care decisions can be difficult and having a trusted connection with a person, group, or organization can aid mightily in those decisions. “The only time some organizations engage with the Black community is right there in the moment when we are going to try to provide clinical services,” said Turner. “The time for building relationships is beforehand, not while difficult clinical decisions are being made. Getting to know a community, engaging with a community outside of a clinical setting – these things help us to see what barriers we might encounter and how we can better communicate and ultimately provide care that meets their needs and preferences.”

Recognize Communication Styles/Preferences

All communities – whether you’re talking about a single family, a small town, a cultural group, or a region of the country – have different communication styles and preferences. Recognizing, validating, and utilizing these preferences is a key component of effective communication.

“In the Black community, there can be differences in how people communicate and make healthcare decisions that clinicians or healthcare professionals may not immediately recognize,” said Turner. “When we meet with a patient or family member, especially initially, that may not be the person who is the key contributor or decisionmaker when it comes to healthcare. Sometimes it is the direct family members and the patient, but often it’s the eldest child or the closest sibling. Frequently we see members of the clergy and trusted spiritual advisors having a tremendous influence in these decisions. It’s essential that we identify how patients/families want to communicate and work with these preferences.”

Partnership is Key

The two previous concepts come together in a practical way that demonstrates an ongoing commitment to the Black community: partnering and collaborating with trusted community organizations and groups is vital. “Working with community associations, religious fellowships, non-profit organizations, educational bodies, and other groups that are established in the Black community is a compelling and effective way of showing that you are invested in the community beyond the point of sale,” said Turner. “These groups are in the community, doing their work year-round, and by partnering with them in support of their efforts in the community we are functioning as a valuable member of that community and not as temporary visitors.”

Improving your communication skills is a crucial part of improving as a part of the health care world. From the administrative offices to the bedside, getting better at giving care means growing and learning. At AccentCare, we know how important that growth can be. We are proud to serve as a trusted source for learning, where you can find insight – and CE credits – from industry experts, any time, on-demand with a simple click.