Even though another task can be cumbersome, making sure that providers and staff understand the issues at hand should be imperative. Emergency physicians are inherent leaders in health care who interact with all segments of society. Therefore, turning a blind eye to disparities in care is counterproductive. Surely, we’d all define ourselves as scientists. So adherence to the evidence should elevate us above our own experiences, which unfortunately seem to convince some that racism is an overreaction of blacks. Culture change is hard. Avoiding difficult issues is not the approach that led to a decrease in heart disease mortality, extended the life expectancy of persons with HIV, or helped avoid the spread of Ebola in the United States.

We can all do something to combat the racism of our workplace. Obviously, many of us are already taking steps to overcome the systemic racism that we know exists. Further, some disparities may be improving, as evidenced by some of the newer studies on analgesia administration. We can suggest journal clubs on health disparities, join hospital committees that inform institutional policies, or encourage discussion at faculty meetings. Again, you don’t have to be a diversity expert to act.

Dr. Osborne is assistant professor of emergency medicine and internal medicine at Emory University School of Medicine and medical director of the chest pain center and the observation unit at Emory University Hospital Midtown, both in Atlanta.

References

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