To what extent do my beliefs, prejudices or biases influence my thinking in terms of providing service in my profession?
To what extent do my beliefs, prejudices or biases influence my thinking in terms of providing service in my profession?
This is a question I have never asked myself. I feel like I am a fair, nonjudgmental person. In reality, this is not true. When I self examine, I find many of my own beliefs and biases do effect how I treat my patients.
The first example that comes to mind is from early in my career as a sonographer. I was scanning a middle-aged Caucasian man in the month of December. I was raised in a Christian home, so I assumed the man would celebrate Christmas. I asked if he had any plans for Christmas. He replied, "I don't celebrate Christmas because I am an Atheist." I was a little shocked by his answer. Atheism is not something that is common where I live and I had never met someone who so bluntly told me his stance. I became silent for a few minutes but continued scanning him. Then, I asked him some questions about why he did not believe in a higher power. He told me of a very troubled life that turned him away from the church. I asked him if I could pray for him. I realize it could have gotten me fired, but I was only thinking of my personal belief. I was only thinking of sharing my God with him without regard to his feelings and beliefs. I made his visit about preaching to him rather than focusing on his care.
Next, I review patient charts when they are scheduled to see me. I check to see what type of insurance coverage they carry. My area has a lot of welfare patients. I often make a generalization about these patients before I meet them. Often, if a welfare patient shows up to his appointment, the patient is dirty and dressed sloppily. He may have cigarettes in his pocket and a brand new cell phone. It makes me feel that all welfare patients abuse the system. Therefore, I make an assumption that all welfare patients will be the same. My assumption is not true. I have met several people on welfare who are not abusing the system. However, I always think the same thing. This is just one example of a preconceived generalization. It influences my treatment of the patient because I get frustrated that they are not working and get many things, such as cell phone service, for free or at a reduced cost. I am upset that I work hard to pay for what I have and they have just as much or more and are able to stay home.
Another example of how prejudice influences thinking is from one of the physicians in my office. He was seeing a new patient who has HIV/AIDS. He never met the patient and did not have an good health history. He did know that she had AIDS. He walked in the exam room and treated her with an air of judgment because he assumed she got AIDS from drug use or promiscuity. He questioned her extensively about drug use and her sexual partners. He found out that the woman had been brutally raped and contracted the virus through her rapist. He felt horribly for treating her so badly.
Finally, I find that many times the people you least expect to be are the most intelligent. I have conversations with a lot of people. Most of the time, society views people who are dressed in expensive clothing and drive nice cars as smart. I followed this thinking for most of my life. However, working in health care, I find it is not always true. I talk to many patients who are poorly groomed and not formally educated who are very intelligent. An example is a gentleman who is living in a nursing facility. He wears shoes with holes in them. His clothing is tattered and he does not have the best personal hygiene. He comes to the office and often smells so badly that we have to open windows. All of these things do not matter when I get to have a conversation with him. He has a lot of knowledge to share. He knows more about life than the most highly educated people I treat. I enjoy listening to his stories and wisdom. I would have missed the opportunity to know him if I had not looked past his surface.
These are just some examples that prove you can't judge a book by it's cover. We must not let our beliefs, prejudices or biases influence patient care. We should strive to treat everyone equally.
Reference:
1. Cultural competency: Implicit bias. 2009.
2. Warkentine J. Generalizations v. stereotypes. . 2013;January.
This is a question I have never asked myself. I feel like I am a fair, nonjudgmental person. In reality, this is not true. When I self examine, I find many of my own beliefs and biases do effect how I treat my patients.
The first example that comes to mind is from early in my career as a sonographer. I was scanning a middle-aged Caucasian man in the month of December. I was raised in a Christian home, so I assumed the man would celebrate Christmas. I asked if he had any plans for Christmas. He replied, "I don't celebrate Christmas because I am an Atheist." I was a little shocked by his answer. Atheism is not something that is common where I live and I had never met someone who so bluntly told me his stance. I became silent for a few minutes but continued scanning him. Then, I asked him some questions about why he did not believe in a higher power. He told me of a very troubled life that turned him away from the church. I asked him if I could pray for him. I realize it could have gotten me fired, but I was only thinking of my personal belief. I was only thinking of sharing my God with him without regard to his feelings and beliefs. I made his visit about preaching to him rather than focusing on his care.
Next, I review patient charts when they are scheduled to see me. I check to see what type of insurance coverage they carry. My area has a lot of welfare patients. I often make a generalization about these patients before I meet them. Often, if a welfare patient shows up to his appointment, the patient is dirty and dressed sloppily. He may have cigarettes in his pocket and a brand new cell phone. It makes me feel that all welfare patients abuse the system. Therefore, I make an assumption that all welfare patients will be the same. My assumption is not true. I have met several people on welfare who are not abusing the system. However, I always think the same thing. This is just one example of a preconceived generalization. It influences my treatment of the patient because I get frustrated that they are not working and get many things, such as cell phone service, for free or at a reduced cost. I am upset that I work hard to pay for what I have and they have just as much or more and are able to stay home.
Another example of how prejudice influences thinking is from one of the physicians in my office. He was seeing a new patient who has HIV/AIDS. He never met the patient and did not have an good health history. He did know that she had AIDS. He walked in the exam room and treated her with an air of judgment because he assumed she got AIDS from drug use or promiscuity. He questioned her extensively about drug use and her sexual partners. He found out that the woman had been brutally raped and contracted the virus through her rapist. He felt horribly for treating her so badly.
Finally, I find that many times the people you least expect to be are the most intelligent. I have conversations with a lot of people. Most of the time, society views people who are dressed in expensive clothing and drive nice cars as smart. I followed this thinking for most of my life. However, working in health care, I find it is not always true. I talk to many patients who are poorly groomed and not formally educated who are very intelligent. An example is a gentleman who is living in a nursing facility. He wears shoes with holes in them. His clothing is tattered and he does not have the best personal hygiene. He comes to the office and often smells so badly that we have to open windows. All of these things do not matter when I get to have a conversation with him. He has a lot of knowledge to share. He knows more about life than the most highly educated people I treat. I enjoy listening to his stories and wisdom. I would have missed the opportunity to know him if I had not looked past his surface.
These are just some examples that prove you can't judge a book by it's cover. We must not let our beliefs, prejudices or biases influence patient care. We should strive to treat everyone equally.
Reference:
1. Cultural competency: Implicit bias. 2009.
2. Warkentine J. Generalizations v. stereotypes. . 2013;January.
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