Physician Beliefs Concerning Structural and Institutional Racism in Health Care

Abstract

Perceived discrimination in medical settings remains prevalent within the U.S. health care system. However, the details of these experiences and their associations with perceived quality of care are not well understood. This study evaluates any potential difference in African Americans' systemic health care discrimination and Latinx perceived by African American and Latinx patients and physicians. The New England physician alumni from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine were sent surveys. Two hundred fifty-one practicing physicians' responses to the 2018 study address their beliefs toward African Americans and Latinx' racism within the health care system. High scores indicate more significant perceived discrimination among these groups. Physicians have lower discriminatory belief scores across gender, patient racial distribution and specialty.