Abstract
The role that racial and ethnic concordance between rural patients and their providers may play in improving health-related behaviors and access to care may be associated with a lack of trust. Therefore, our study identifies the patient characteristics associated with: (1) perceived importance of having racial and ethnic concordance; and (2) not having a routine provider visit in the past year among rural patients living throughout the United States. Data were collected through an online survey using Qualtrics, incorporating validated questionnaire items to assess health beliefs, healthcare practices, access to care, and patient-provider distrust. Sample (N = 166) characteristics were compared using bivariate analyses. Two binary logistic regression models with backward entry were fitted to assess variables associated with perceived importance of concordance and a routine visit in the past year, controlling for distrust in providers, healthcare access, health literacy, and demographics. High distrust in providers was associated with perceived importance of racial and ethnic concordance with one's provider (OR = 9.18) and not having a routine visit (OR = 3.35). This study highlights the complex interplay between racial and ethnic concordance, distrust in providers, and healthcare utilization among rural populations, emphasizing the need for multifaceted approaches to improve healthcare access and outcomes. Future studies should determine whether perceived importance of concordance mediates the relationship between distrust in providers and getting an annual routine visit.