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I am a well-educated English speaking African American woman. Despite all that, I still feel that when I go to a clinic or hospital (for myself or for my children), I am not treated with the same care and attention a white woman might get. Is this just me or do others have this same experience?
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There is no doubt that racial and ethnic inequalities exist in the health care system. Studies have repeatedly shown that given equal disease, equal treatment gives equal results. But minorities don't receive equal care. And the picture has not improved over the last 20 years.
A recent review of the literature in this area of research showed that minorities are less likely to receive specialty care and more likely to experience delays in diagnosis and treatment compared with the white (caucasian) adult population. Minorities are less likely to receive screening or preventive care, so the diagnosis is made later. A delayed diagnosis often means more advanced disease and more painful symptoms.
You are not imagining what you have seen and/or experienced. Even with higher level education and skill with the English language, there is a tendency for health care providers to still judge people based on race/ethnicity.
Social scientists have called for an increased focus on education to turn this around. They say there three ways to approach this problem: through the patient, the provider, and the health care system. Educating health care providers may be one approach. If providers can be taught to assess and treat everyone the same, outcomes may improve. Evidence-based treatment guidelines for pain associated with different causes are needed to help providers give the care that patients need.
Availability and affordability of medical care must be addressed through health care reform. Money is needed to fund pain research with a goal of providing practical health care policies around the treatment of minorities. Public health must include a focus on the well-documented causes and results of racial and ethnic disparities in the treatment (or lack of treatment) of pain and other health care problems.
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*Disclaimer:*The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic. |
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