Exploring African American males' responses to health-care practitioner recommendations

This qualitative phenomenological research study explored and identified reasons African American men comply or do not comply with the medical recommendations of their health-care practitioner. The research sample was 20 African American men living in Baltimore City, Maryland, who had visited their health-care practitioner within the past year. The study utilized open-ended objectively phrased interviewing questions, which allowed participants to respond with their own words to describe their decision making regarding their health-care practitioner's advice. Invariant themes were revealed by data mining. Three clusters of themes emerged: relationship, apprehension, and trust. The research revealed that participants viewed the doctor-patient relationship as critical in establishing trust and respect and in building rapport. Participants felt these elements would serve to promote patient compliance to their health-care practitioner's recommendations.