MPC Member Publications

This database contains a listing of population studies publications written by MPC Members. Anyone can add a publication by an MPC student, faculty, or staff member to this database; new citations will be reviewed and approved by MPC administrators.

Full Citation

Title: Doctors' and nurses' explanations for racial disparities in medical treatment.

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2010

ISSN: 1548-6869

DOI: 10.1353/hpu.0.0275

PMID: 20173277

Abstract: Racial inequality in medical treatment is a problem whose sources are not fully understood. To gain better insight into how race may affect treatment, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 doctors and nurses. Using an open coding scheme, the explanations of racial inequality in treatment were coded by two people. Four major categories of responses emerged to explain why Black patients are less likely to receive the same levels of medical care as Whites: access to care, physician bias, Black patients' perceived shortcomings, and White patients' demands. Interviewees commonly cited access and patient factors before naming physician bias. The majority questioned the validity of studies reporting disparities. Educational campaigns should emphasize evidence that racial disparities persist even after controlling for factors such as insurance and patient characteristics. Educational programs should also address subconscious racial bias and how it may operate in a clinical setting.

Url: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20173277

User Submitted?: No

Authors: Clark-Hitt, Rose; Malat, Jennifer; Burgess, Diana J.; Friedemann-Sanchez, Greta

Periodical (Full): Journal of health care for the poor and underserved

Issue: 1

Volume: 21

Pages: 386-400

Countries:

IPUMS NHGIS NAPP IHIS ATUS Terrapop