More on Racial Preferences of Patients for Caregivers

Continuing with the discussion of the racial preferences of patients for their caregivers, a study by Rachel L. Johnson and others in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, vol 19, number 2, 2004 shows that non-white groups have their own concerns regarding how they might be treated by those of a different culture or ethnicity. In that study consisting of 6,299 white, African-American, Hispanic, and Asian adults of which 54.3 percent responded to the telephone survey, the following statistically significant results were described. African-Americans, Hispanics and Asians, more likely than whites, agreed that they would have received better medical care if they belonged to a different race/ethnic group. They agreed that the medical staff judged them unfairly or treated them with disrespect based on race/ethnicity and also agreed that how they were treated was based on how well they spoke English. This study might provide some understanding why non-white groups might want to have a physician who is of their culture or ethnicity to care for them. It also might add weight to the need for all physicians along with their offices and hospitals to be culturally educated and sensitive in the professional relationship with their patients. ..Maurice.