Keywords
Indian Americans; Patient-provider communication; Aspects impacting health communication; Immigrant health; Cross-cultural; Health Communication
Abstract
Effective provider-patient communication directly influences patient satisfaction, treatment adherence, and health outcomes, yet the unique experiences of Indian Americans—one of the fastest-growing U.S. populations—remain underexplored in communication research. This scoping review, following Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines, systematically mapped the existing literature on provider-patient communication involving Indian Americans. Eleven studies met inclusion criteria, with data extracted on methods, populations, and seven coded aspects related to communication.
Findings revealed a narrow focus on first-generation immigrants and women, leaving men’s experiences and second-generation voices largely unexamined. Communication was shaped by language discordance, cultural stigma, family involvement, trust dynamics, and health literacy. No studies focused explicitly on mental health communication or the use of technology to facilitate communication.
This review highlights both what is known and what remains missing, offering a map for future research to move beyond first-generation language barriers and address the evolving experiences, needs, and communication preferences of a diverse and growing Indian American population.
Thesis Completion Year
2025
Thesis Completion Semester
Spring
Thesis Chair
Miller, Ann
College
College of Medicine
Department
Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences
Thesis Discipline
Health Communication
Language
English
Access Status
Open Access
Length of Campus Access
None
Campus Location
Orlando (Main) Campus
STARS Citation
Nadella, Pranav S., "Exploring Patient-Provider Communication in Indian American Populations: A Scoping Review" (2025). Honors Undergraduate Theses. 297.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hut2024/297