Authors

Rachel Tran

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2020

Abstract

While the discussion surrounding implicit physician bias has become more prevalent, patient bias is often overlooked. For decades, the United States’ healthcare system has normalized accommodation of patients’ racially biased requests, providing little to no support for minority healthcare workers. This paper presents social, ethical, and legal arguments for the creation of effective patient bias policies while challenging traditional barriers to implementation. It also advances a guideline of recommendations for healthcare institutions, civil rights organizations, and governments to draw from. These recommendations include the right to turn away patients who repeatedly discriminate against healthcare professionals.

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