In the United States and worldwide, we have made significant progress in medical advancements to save lives. However, there are still some issues that need to be addressed. Have you ever had to go to the Emergency Room and be treated as if your health concerns were not valid due to the color of your skin? Racial discrimination and bias in healthcare systems exist today regardless of your station in life.
Many Black Americans experience being underdiagnosed for health conditions, not receiving proper pain management, or their concerns are dismissed as if the condition is all in their heads. This causes unnecessary stress for black and brown people who seek trusted healthcare professionals to provide them with unbiased, compassionate, quality care.
As a nurse, I have experienced this racial bias as a patient seeking help during a medical emergency. At the time, I was a new nurse in rural America and didn't know the language needed to express to the medical doctor that my concerns were valid and that more needed to be done. I could only focus on the pain that I was experiencing. I was discharged from the emergency room without a proper examination and had to come back to the hospital hours later for emergency surgery.
Acknowledging the challenges black and brown communities face in receiving quality healthcare is the first step towards achieving better health outcomes. We all have our parts as healthcare professionals to treat everyone with dignity and respect regardless of the color of their skin or an individual's insurance status.
Here are a few tips to consider helping you navigate the healthcare system as a member of the black and brown communities:
Always have a family member/friend present to advocate for your needs. *Have a family/friend present if you are not proficient in the English language. There are language translator services available for all healthcare systems.
Ask specific questions. " What might be the cause of my problem?".
Get vulnerable. Say, "I am concerned because...".
Be relentless. Repeat your concerns.
Ask for a patient advocate (i.e., charge nurse, unit director, house supervisor)
Access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right everyone should enjoy, regardless of race or insurance status. Unfortunately, healthcare disparities continue to exist in many marginalized communities around the world. This is unacceptable, and we must work together to ensure that competent and compassionate healthcare is available to all, particularly in a diverse society like the United States.
Comments