Why Collect and Use Race/Ethnicity Data? A Qualitative Case Study on the Perspectives of Mental Health Providers and Patients During COVID-19

Nancy Clark (), Cindy Quan, Heba Elgharbawy, Anita David, Michael E. Li, Christopher Mah, Jill K. Murphy, Catherine L. Costigan, Soma Ganesan and Jaswant Guzder
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Nancy Clark: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada
Cindy Quan: British Columbia Operational Stress Injury Clinic, Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, BC V5M 4T5, Canada
Heba Elgharbawy: Department of Psychology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada
Anita David: BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services, Mental Health Commission of Canada, Vancouver, BC V6J 3M8, Canada
Michael E. Li: Data & Analytics, Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
Christopher Mah: Data & Analytics, Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
Jill K. Murphy: Interdisciplinary Health Program, St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5, Canada
Catherine L. Costigan: Department of Psychology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada
Soma Ganesan: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, UBC Vancouver Campus, Vancouver, BC V6T 2A1, Canada
Jaswant Guzder: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, UBC Vancouver Campus, Vancouver, BC V6T 2A1, Canada

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 11, 1-21

Abstract: Context: Calls to collect patients’ race/ethnicity (RE) data as a measure to promote equitable health care among vulnerable patient groups are increasing. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how a public health crisis disproportionately affects racialized patient groups. However, less is known about the uptake of RE data collection in the context of mental health care services. Methodology: A qualitative case study used surveys with mental health patients (n = 47) and providers (n = 12), a retrospective chart review, and a focus group to explore healthcare providers’ and patients’ perspectives on collecting RE data in Canada. Results: The patient survey data and focus groups show that patients avoid providing identifying information due to perceived stigma and discrimination and a lack of trust. Providers did not feel comfortable asking patients about RE, leading to chart review data where RE information was not systematically collected. Conclusions: The uptake and implementation of RE data collection in mental health care contexts require increased training and support, systematic implementation, and further evaluation and measurement of how the collection of RE data will be used to mitigate systemic racism and improve mental health outcomes.

Keywords: mental health; COVID-19; ethnicity; race-based data; cultural safety; intersectionality; disaggregated data; racism; health equity; case study (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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