Psychologists as Leaders in Equitable Science: Applications of Antiracism and Community Participatory Strategies in a Pediatric Behavioral Medicine Clinical Trial

Psychologists have an ethical responsibility to advance health equity and can play a significant role in improving health care experiences for families racialized as Black, including those with sickle cell disease (SCD), a group of genetic blood disorders primarily affecting communities of color. Parents of children with SCD report experiences of stigma and discrimination due to racism in the health care system. The current commentary describes the application of antiracism and participatory strategies to the research design, implementation, and dissemination of a behavioral medicine clinical trial (Engage-HU; NCT03442114) of shared decision-making (SDM) for pediatric patients with SCD, including (a) the development of a research question to promote justice for racialized groups; (b) a focus on redressing imbalances through SDM and a multidisciplinary, inclusive research team led by a Black psychologist; (c) community participatory approaches through the integration of stakeholder feedback across the study; and (d) centering context by attending to structural realities in response to the COVID-19 and racism pandemics. With attention to the fact that most primary caregivers of children with SCD are Black women, an intersectionality lens was applied. Implications and considerations for psychologists working to advance health equity in medical settings are also discussed.

Automated summary

Psychologists have the responsibility to improve health care experiences for racialized families, such as those with sickle cell disease. This article discusses the application of antiracism and participatory strategies in a clinical trial for pediatric patients with SCD, including the development of research questions promoting justice, addressing imbalances through shared decision-making, involving stakeholders through community participatory approaches, and considering contextual factors like COVID-19 and racism pandemics. The intersectionality lens is applied, considering the primary caregivers of children with SCD who are Black women. Implications for psychologists working to advance health equity in medical settings are also discussed.