Christopher Godfrey, PhD, an associate professor of psychology at Pace University’s New York City campus, is examining how healthcare can better serve medically disenfranchised populations. His research moves beyond the standard clinical encounter and emphasizes the importance of considering patients’ life experiences, trust in institutions, and decision-making processes.
“Patients carry a lifetime of experiences that shape how they interact with providers, how they trust institutions, and how they make decisions,” Godfrey said.
Godfrey has identified a gap in existing research on the healthcare experiences of marginalized groups. These include Black and brown communities, economically disadvantaged families, LGBTQ+ individuals, women, older adults, and people living with HIV/AIDS. To address this deficiency, he leads the Center for Urban Health and Education Research Lab (CUHER) at Pace University. The lab collaborates with local communities to understand how these populations make health-related decisions.
Godfrey’s work involves mapping self-reported patient experiences alongside physiological data to ensure underrepresented voices are included in healthcare discussions. “It’s validating,” he said, “because it means these conversations belong in primary care, not just in a specialist’s office after something has gone wrong.”
A significant portion of his research focuses on sexual health conversations within primary care settings. He notes that these discussions are often limited to risk assessment rather than addressing topics such as pleasure or discomfort. Another area of study explores how lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals decide what information to share with their primary care providers.
“Sometimes it’s full disclosure, sometimes it’s partial, sometimes it’s silence. What matters is that people are constantly evaluating—is this someone I can trust with this part of myself?” Godfrey said.
He describes these approaches as examples of resilience among patients who navigate a system that may not always meet their needs.
During the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath, Godfrey studied mental health among healthcare workers and found that family support played a critical role in sustaining frontline workers—more so than institutional recognition. He also observed unique dynamics within households containing multiple healthcare professionals—what he calls “medical families.”
“We talk about military families. Well, there are medical families too. They support each other in ways outsiders can’t,” he said.
Communication remains central to Godfrey’s approach to improving healthcare outcomes. He stresses the need for better support systems for patients who may lack access or resources when engaging with providers.
Reflecting on his own experience as a patient who sends journal articles ahead of appointments—a practice he jokes makes him “a provider’s nightmare”—Godfrey acknowledged: ”Not everyone has the time, access, or background to do that research. My heart goes out to them.”
He advocates for initiatives aimed at teaching communication skills and creating advocates for vulnerable populations within the healthcare system.
Godfrey concludes that true progress will come when both patients’ and providers’ voices are heard: “You don’t have a healthcare system without people,” he said. “And their voices have to be at the center.”
