Racial Biases Against Patients: Another Issue To Ponder - page 3

According to one definition, racial bias means a "pre-formed" negative opinion or attitude toward a group of persons who possess common physical characteristics (McCleary, 2009). Racial bias has... Read More

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#13 0

Jun 24, '12 by not.done.yet, BSN, RN Guide

An interesting perspective and thought-provoking. My workplace is extremely diverse and we have a great time with it. We have not had any issues that I know of with nurse bias toward a diverse patient population. But something I have definitely noticed is that the Black patients I have cared for are more suspicious, not just of me, but of the medical profession in general. Some are dramatically warmer and friendlier if they had a Black nurse and are willing to transfer that to me at shift change if they percieve the nurse they had bonded with on days feels confident in me.

As a generality I have noticed the African-American/Black patients we get are far slower to accept a DNR status in a hopeless situation, less likely to question what I am doing or why, less likely to speak up if they have a concern, more likely to simply turn hostile and withdraw. I would love to know how to make this better when it happens and frequently worry there is something about me that caused it. I suspect it has more to do with the history of how African-Americans/Blacks have been treated in our culture than about with me as a person but that doesn't make it feel better when I am working hard to keep them comfortable, secure, educated, in-the-loop and they are dismissive, cold and mistrustful, sometimes out of nowhere when things had been going along fine. It is confusing and can hurt. I wish I had more resources to get through that armor and reach the patient and/or family in those situations. I do think bias can float both ways, but in no way would want to take away from the original point of caregiver bias. It makes me sick to think caregiver bias still exists to be honest.
#14 0

Jun 24, '12 by frankie,RN

Quote from minnymi

are you referring to the bias against white students here? i know when i was in high school and looking into scholarships there were many scholarships that i would have qualified for based on GPA....if i were black.

i never understood why african americans who fought so hard for equality would be okay with colleges allowing a LOWER gpa than what was acceptable for a white person.

i came across scholarships that specifically outlined the gpa needed to be a 3.0 for an african american, but 3.5 for a white student.

i thought, "how unfair and how insulting to the black race."

Apparently, you never heard of the bell curve. that means that if the admitting gpa is 3.0 for blacks and 3.5 for whites, then it must be 3.8 for Asians. you would still apply and hope to get it.

Also studies show that schools in white neighborhoods, have better funding, better books, better teachers, so therefore better gpa's. thats where blacks should feel some insult. thats where the chief disparity lies. its in who is getting the quality education.
#15 0

Jun 27, '12 by Hygiene Queen, RN Guide

Quote from frankie,RN

Also studies show that schools in white neighborhoods, have better funding, better books, better teachers, so therefore better gpa's. thats where blacks should feel some insult. thats where the chief disparity lies. its in who is getting the quality education.

But what if you are white and growing up in a black/hispanic neighborhood??
I dealt with the same crappy educational system they did, but I still have to have the higher GPA?
It really yanks my chain when people assume all white people are well-off.
It's a stereotype.
#16 2

Jun 28, '12 by TheCommuter, BSN, RN Senior Moderator

Quote from Hygiene Queen

It really yanks my chain when people assume all white people are well-off.
It's a stereotype.

Racial stereotypes are hurtful, but they are a routine aspect of living in the US. I cannot write a personal check in most places of business because people assume there's no money in the account, when I actually have a five-figure balance. After certain people and vendors speak to me for a few minutes, some will comment that I do not speak like the rest of 'those people.'

So, I agree. Whether the person being prejudged is black, white, Latino, Asian, or American Indian, racial stereotyping is wrong on so many levels.
#17 0

Jun 28, '12 by frankie,RN

Quote from Hygiene Queen

But what if you are white and growing up in a black/hispanic neighborhood??
I dealt with the same crappy educational system they did, but I still have to have the higher GPA?
It really yanks my chain when people assume all white people are well-off.
It's a stereotype.

i did not yank your chain. you caused it to yank on your own. if you read my entire quote, you will notice the word "studies". and you would have realized at that moment that i was not stating something based on assumption or stereotype, i was basing it on a statistic. and i'm not saying or assuming that all whites are well-off. ive treated many people, whites incuded, from all various socioeconomic backgrounds.

no. i will not provide a link for proof. google it and do your own research. but i will say this... if brown vs board ofeducation was decided in 1954, then why are children still being bused in 2012. why are some politicians still fighting for school vouchers in 2012 to send less fortunate kids to better school districts. according to you, it would be because they have the same stereotypes as me. who knows, maybe their assumptions, like mine, are based on studies too.
#18 1

Jun 28, '12 by thompd01

Racism is a real thing. It is sad to hear and know that it exist in the healthcare system.

I feel everyone is a human being. We all are here to live and die. We all have good and bad times. None of use are better than the other. Therefore, we all deserve the same treatment no matter where we are especially in healthcare I feel.

One of my personal friends is a black nurse practicioner and she personally experienced racism. She was working as a educator and supervising a nursing student who was white. The patient and family made rude comments to the instructor simply due to her race (stating the nursing student was much more competent than my friend, with some other negative comments made).

Though we are professionals, we are also humans. Therefore, we make errors. Though this is a huge error, it's reality. If I personally witnessed it, I would have to pull the person to a private area and explain what I saw and make them aware of the situation.

Everyone deserves to be treated the same. The Golden Rule is the best rule to follow and have people ask themself would they like to be treated like they are treating people.
#19 0

Jun 28, '12 by Doctrinaire

I definitely have had experiences with racist nurses and doctors. I am mixed (black and white) but I look more black or latina. My sister looks more white than anything. Yet, we both had different experiences at this certain hospital where we live. Basically, she was invited to some committee to speak about improvement of patient care and I was harassed, insulted, and ignored at this hospital. I definitely was not treated with any respect or dignity but my sister was.

Now, I was very compliant, and my sister was not. I am a very easy patient , my sister is very difficult.

Another experience I had at the ER, I had double vision and eye deviation because of an acne medication. I went to the ER and the doctor that I saw was such an a*** very rude and desrepectful. The first thing he said to me was, "What can I do for you" I said I have no idea I'm not a doctor, all I know is that I can't see my eyes are moving all around etc... I told him maybe a CAT scan? Now, I should not have to tell the doctor what he needs to do for me I obviously have no idea what needs to be done. Then he said," Now, when I do that are you gonna be all set, you will be satisfied with a CAT scan?"

I was ****** leaving this hospital. I complained to the department of health in that state and they did nothing at all.

Turns out, my eye doctor said I needed a spinal tap, had too much fluid in my head and there are meds for it. My eye doctor was disgusted when I told him about my experience.

So, thankfully, I went to a neurologist and got the spinal tap done. I'm better now thank god and thanks to my eye doctor.

I sent my eye doctor an edible arrangment bouquet to thank him for being such a great doctor.

Thanks to him, my eyes are back to normal now. This happened a couple of years ago.

This has not been the only bad experience I've had with doctors/medical professionals I've had a lot which is one of the reasons why I want to become a nurse. I want to change some of the behavior I witnessed as a patient and as a CNA.

I 've heard horror stories from other people in my area and know a couple of people who are suing a couple of hospitals. I tell people I can't be the only one complaing there needs to be more than one person with a problem in order for things to change.

I am a spiritual person and I believe in Karma. People , like that doctor I spoke about, have a hard path ahead of them and they will experience what they caused.

That's why when I was a CNA, I made sure I was very kind, patient, and understanding. I showed compassion because you never know when you will be in a vunerable position in life and you are totally dependent on others to care for you.

Let's hope they treat you well and not like this doctor/hospital treated me.
#20 0

Jun 28, '12 by Hygiene Queen, RN Guide

Quote from frankie,RN

i did not yank your chain. you caused it to yank on your own. if you read my entire quote, you will notice the word "studies". and you would have realized at that moment that i was not stating something based on assumption or stereotype, i was basing it on a statistic. and i'm not saying or assuming that all whites are well-off. ive treated many people, whites incuded, from all various socioeconomic backgrounds. no. i will not provide a link for proof. google it and do your own research. but i will say this... if brown vs board ofeducation was decided in 1954, then why are children still being bused in 2012. why are some politicians still fighting for school vouchers in 2012 to send less fortunate kids to better school districts. according to you, it would be because they have the same stereotypes as me. who knows, maybe their assumptions, like mine, are based on studies too.

I read your whole post.
I stated my dislike for the stereotype.
I understand what you said about studies.
However, while it may be shown that white students have access to better education and, thus, higher GPAs, it is not true for all.
So, while we paint with a broad brush-- based on studies-- there are those, such as me, who fall between the cracks.
Why does it have to be a race issue?Poor people have poor educational resources and it's true no matter what color you are.
So why put a color on it?
I'm not barking at you.
I'm not shooting the messenger.
I saw your post and it made me think about something I don't like.