The Importance of Healthcare Diversity

Edited by Catherine Verdeflor

Tito Oye states, “I can count the number of black doctors who have consulted me on one hand, and none of them were specifically hematologists” (2020, para. 2). Healthcare suffers from a lack of representation. It is common for minorities to attend checkups and not be seen by a physician of a similar background. Fortunately, healthcare professionals and ordinary citizens have taken the responsibility to spread awareness of these issues, but this is not enough. Though the journey to having more representation in healthcare will not be easy, people should stay strong, knowing that their actions will lead to better patient treatment. People should continue to fight for more health representation because it combats a major issue in this industry — racial bias.

Implicit bias is a significant problem in healthcare, especially with how it affects the way people perceive each other. One form of this judgment, racial bias, result in racial discrimination, which “subconsciously clouds the brain and can make innocent thoughts racist, even if that was never the intent” (PRC, 2020, para. 6) If both patients and physicians struggle to form a strong relationship due to this thought process, how will both sides be affected? Will patients be correctly diagnosed and satisfied with their appointments, or will they become reluctant to go to another? These are questions healthcare professionals must ask themselves if they want to improve future medical care. Patient treatment and patient-doctor interaction go hand in hand. If the doctor does not have a good interaction with the patient, a misdiagnosis could occur, causing their efforts to prove futile. Increasing diversity in the medical field has the ability to limit this issue. According to Oye, “Patients are more comfortable around doctors they can relate to and are more likely to seek out their services” (2020, para. 3). Closing the gaps between racial and ethnic disparities will help increase patients’ comfort and reduce unconscious and unethical bias seen by physicians.

The journey to improve diversity in healthcare will not be easy. Healthcare professionals in the U.S. must do their part in encouraging minority participation in healthcare. Together we must break down barriers and make healthcare settings a place where minorities of similar backgrounds can come together and feel secure. Communication has the ability to form a strong connection between a person and their health provider, further resulting in less misdiagnosis, fewer lives lost, better care, and better treatment.

References

Oye, T. (22 January 2020). The Importance of Better Representation in the Medical Industry. Sickle Cell Disease News. Retrieved November 7, 2020 from sicklecellanemianews.com/2020/01/22/better-representation-diversity-medical-field/.

PRC. (10 January 2020). Minorities in Healthcare: Increasing Diversity in Healthcare. Retrieved November 8, 2020 from prccustomresearch.com/minorities-in-healthcare-adjusting-with-the-times-and-paving-the-path-for-healthcare-diversity/.

‌[Untitled image of group of people]. PRC. https://prccustomresearch.com/minorities-in-healthcare-adjusting-with-the-times-and-paving-the-path-for-healthcare-diversity/