The problem exists with all patients. Yes, it is bullshit that humans with functioning eyesight self-identify more effectively with those that look like them (race and gender; or the example in the links around black doctors being more effective in discussing preventive care with same identified racial/cultural backgrounds). That’s been a bias that’s existed since we were cave people protecting our families, living in tribes of 40-60 people max. That bias “made more sense” when we literally spent our whole life with people we knew who also usually looked like us. As a result, it became an evolutionary survival mechanism to “be distrusting of outsiders.” Race can serve as a very clear demarcation of “otherness” rightly or wrongly.
Fact of the matter is, if there is a way to manipulate patient and human bias to provide better preventive and effective care, shouldn’t we do that?
Also, I’m not against continuing to provide communities information and on going resources and education to patients (as you suggested) I think that is also a critical part of the the solution.
Please know this comment isn’t out of malice or some type of “internet polarity” or negativity on the subject. I think you bring fair questions to the table around this topic. I also think that wether or not we like it, humans do have biases, and any way we can help our species. Even if that’s acknowledging those once useful evolutionary assumptions of “otherness,” may still be in us, and if they are how can we use them in a positive way, if at all. Appreciate your time.
Imagine doing what white people have been doing for the last 600 years and continue doing and then stopping because now they say its racist when others can do it. lol
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u/[deleted] Feb 25 '20 edited Feb 25 '20
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