Stereotypes have a way of
showing up in all kinds of circumstances, including those related to
healthcare. It’s shocking how threats of numerous stereotypes can impact so
many areas of people’s lives. Think about all the stereotypes that can be drawn
from just looking at a person (age, race, ethnicity, weight, disability,
mannerisms, etc.) or listening to a person (word choices, accents, evasiveness,
humor, etc.), and it becomes clearer that many people carry extra burdens with
them that present real threats to the kinds of experiences they have in
healthcare situations. Too many times, the threats of stereotypes are real.
But, even when the threats are not real, do they still impact patient care?
No one should be reduced to
being viewed as a group stereotype. Unfortunately, older adults have been
blanketed with many negative stereotypes by society. Ageism is alive and
well, and they experience it. In addition to other numerous stereotypes, older adults may fear being judged in healthcare contexts on
several characteristics. A research study with older adults in the Health and Retirement Study was done to assess the impact
of threats of being stereotyped in healthcare situations.
This study included 1,479
individuals. They were tested on whether healthcare stereotype threats were
associated with self-rated health, reported hypertension and depressive
symptoms, as well as with healthcare-related outcomes, including physician
distrust, dissatisfaction with healthcare, and preventative care use. These
were the results:
1) Seventeen percent of respondents reported threats of healthcare stereotypes with respect to one or more aspects of their
identities.
2) Healthcare stereotype threats were associated
with higher physician distrust and dissatisfaction with healthcare, poorer
mental and physical health (i.e., self-rated health, hypertension, and depressive
symptoms), and lower odds of receiving the influenza vaccine.
This study is the first of
its kind. It reveals that people do experience
healthcare stereotype threats on the basis of various stigmatized aspects of
social identity and that these experiences can be linked with larger health and
healthcare-related outcomes. In terms of disparities, keep in mind that the
impact of the stereotype threats may be experienced in addition to the impact of
real stereotypes they actually do experience in the healthcare arena. The
healthcare industry must educate and monitor staff regarding stereotypes in
general to improve healthcare-related outcomes and achieve person-centered care
for everyone.
In a society
where younger people are idolized, many have come to perceive old people as invisible,
dependent, and not as valued as the young. This video describes the roots and
consequences of ageism in America.
Frances Shani Parker, Author
Becoming
Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes is available
in paperback and e-book editions in America and other countries at online and
offline booksellers.
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