Many research studies indicate that stereotyping patients of
various racial-ethnic groups by healthcare professionals contributes to health
disparities. Hispanic Americans and American Indians are two examples of groups facing
significant disparities. The following research study focused on healthcare stereotypes
related to these two groups:
1) Health-related
stereotypes both nursing and medical students hold about Hispanic and American
Indian patients
2) Nursing and
medical students' motivation to treat Hispanic and American Indian patients in
an unbiased manner
Participants completed a questionnaire assessing
their awareness of stereotypes that healthcare professionals associate with
Hispanic and American Indian patients. They also completed measures of their own motivation to treat these patient groups in an unbiased manner.
Even
though they were highly motivated to treat Hispanic and American Indian
individuals fairly, the majority of participants reported stereotypes
associating these patient groups with noncompliance, risky health behavior, and
difficulty understanding and/or communicating health-related information. These
kinds of negative health-related stereotypes about patient groups have no place
in patient-centered healthcare.
Patient-centered healthcare applies to all patients. This video shares patient-centered comments that present various issues encountered by patients and providers in healthcare settings.
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.
