A new study reveals that patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) are more likely to stick with their treatment when they share racial, ethnic, or gender identities with their oncologists. The findings underscore how shared identity in clinical relationships can influence long-term health outcomes, particularly for minority communities.
Published in JAMA Network Open, the study analyzed data from 443 CML patients treated at Kaiser Permanente Southern California between 2007 and 2019. Researchers found that gender concordance between patients and oncologists was linked to a 4.7-percentage point increase in treatment adherence. When both race/ethnicity and gender were shared, adherence rose by 6.7 percentage points. Although race and ethnicity concordance alone showed a 5.0-percentage point increase, it did not reach statistical significance.
These differences in adherence emerged early in treatment and persisted over five years, suggesting that shared identity fosters trust and engagement in care. The study’s authors argue that increasing diversity in oncology through recruitment and mentorship could help reduce disparities in treatment adherence, especially among underrepresented groups.
The research highlights how structural and interpersonal dynamics—such as shared cultural background—can shape patient behavior and outcomes. While the study was limited to one health system, its implications point to the broader need for culturally concordant care across the U.S. health system.
See: “Oncologist-Patient Concordance and Treatment Adherence in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia” (April 30, 2025)