Publications and Research
Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
12-7-2023
Abstract
Racism and implicit bias are prevalent in healthcare, which may affect patient well-being. One way implicit bias is most evident is in language. Negative descriptors, such as “sickler”—a term used for those diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), influence how health providers view their patients and determine pain medication prescriptions (Goddu et al.). Patient experience, such as prior use of opioids or using words that imply substance abuse, may block patients from accessing prescriptions and proper care. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) are disproportionately affected by such negative descriptors (Sun et al., 2022). Among other adverse impacts, treating patient pain accounts for mental health or sleep issues and increases the number of unnecessary visits to the hospital (Keister et al., 2016). How patients are described in their Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) reveals prejudice in health practices, which may prevent adequate care and impact interactions with future health providers. Prejudices and biases are also presented in non-verbal communication, such as glances or facial expressions. This poster will include an analysis of peer-reviewed articles on data collection experiments and language use in Electronic Medical Records. In the end, methods for health professionals to acknowledge and address their unconscious biases, including health equity education, will be presented (Cooper et al., Healy et al.).
Comments
This poster was presented at the 39th Semi-Annual Dr. Janet Liou-Mark Honors & Undergraduate Research Poster Presentation, December 7, 2023. Mentor: Prof. Javiela Evangelista (African American Studies).