How Should Organizations Support Trainees in the Face of Patient Bias?

Authors

Kimani Paul-Emile, Fordham University School of LawFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

AMA Journal of Ethics

Volume

21

Publication Date

2019

Keywords

healthcare, patient bias, racism, race, gender, ethnicity

Abstract

Some patients degrade, belittle, or harass clinicians and students based on their social identity characteristics, such as their race, gender, ethnicity, or religion. Some patients even refuse care. While this kind of behavior is difficult for all health care workers, it presents unique challenges for trainees. This article offers concrete protocols for supporting trainees when such patient encounters occur, including assessment, debriefing with affected staff, convening team meetings, event tracking, data collection, and initiating organizational cultural changes.

Recommended Citation

Kimani Paul-Emile, How Should Organizations Support Trainees in the Face of Patient Bias?, 21 AMA J. Ethics 513 (2019)
Available at: https://ir.lawnet.fordham.edu/faculty_scholarship/1032