I previously wrote about the lack of racial and ethnic diversity in our specialty. These types of comments are commonly used to indirectly reference my race. I’ve been told I “look too young” to be a doctor, was told or had it implied that I wasn’t dressed properly when wearing a business suit, and fielded questions about “what’s going on” with my hair. My status as an accomplished professional doesn’t insulate me. I have been assumed to be “the help,” sexualized and told to “use what I’ve got,” and had people ask to touch my hair. Interpretation or translation services not provided: 1%Īs a black woman, I face discrimination and microaggressions continuously.Patient requesting for provider or staff member based on race or ethnicity: 1%.Staff reporting management or supervisor discriminating against them: 4%.Staff making inappropriate comments regarding race or ethnicity: 7%.Patient/family reporting disparate care because of patient/family race or ethnicity: 9%.Patient claiming that others are racist or engaged in racist behavior: 22%.Patient/family making inappropriate comments regarding race or ethnicity: 56%.To that end, ECRI and the Institute for Safe Medication Practices PSO recently analyzed a full year of events related to racial or ethnic minority groups and found that patients and health care providers are frequently on the receiving end of inappropriate comments about race, including: We must also be cognizant of the ways that our behavior can either improve or complicate the experiences of our patients, peers, family, friends, and neighbors. We must think about the whole human in front of us and emphasize the treatment of the patient and not just the wrinkle, rash, or skin cancer. To better serve patients and advance our specialty, dermatologists and aesthetic physicians must be aware of the needs of individuals across all racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. As a result, the care that we provide to patients is improving. Increasingly, dermatologists are taking stock of the unique needs of patients of all skin tones and confronting the lack of diversity-in research, education, pharmaceutical advertising, hiring practices, and more-that has existed in medicine generally, and our specialty specifically for generations. My mission in my practice and life is to recognize the humanity of every person who comes through the door regardless of skin color. Tyler Perry recently said we have to, “meet each person at their humanity and refuse hate.” One of my lifelong goals is to continue the work of my ancestors and continue to fight against systems that work to prevent other skin of color and marginalized people from getting to where I am and further. Her father was a dentist during the roaring days of Harlem. As an African-American dermatologist, I must deal with the notion that my privilege does not shield me from bias and discrimination.
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