| Abstract: | This phenomenological research study was conducted to explore and identify 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 visited their health care practitioner within the past year. Open‐ended, objectively phrased interview questions were used for this study, 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 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. |
