As the U.S. healthcare workforce grows more diverse, minority physicians continue to face prejudice from the very patients they serve. A review in JPOSNA highlights the prevalence and consequences of discriminatory patient behavior toward providers of color and offers strategies to address it.
Surveys show the problem is widespread. Nearly all medical residents reported witnessing biased behavior, with Latino, Black, and Asian physicians more likely than White colleagues to face derogatory remarks, questioning of credentials, or outright refusal of care. Almost half of Black and Latino residents reported patients requesting a different doctor, compared with just over a quarter of White residents. One national study found that 70% of Black and Asian doctors had endured inappropriate comments tied to their race.
The toll is significant. Minority physicians experiencing discrimination are more likely to report burnout, self-doubt, and moral distress. Some leave jobs altogether, contributing to workforce turnover that already costs the healthcare system hundreds of millions of dollars each year. Encounters with biased patients can erode the physician-patient bond, disrupting care and leaving providers feeling humiliated or isolated.
The article stresses that institutions must move beyond silence or accommodation. Training in how to respond to prejudiced patients, stronger anti-discrimination policies, and active bystander intervention are recommended. Physicians are urged to employ de-escalation strategies, seek peer support, and document incidents. Creating a culture of accountability, the authors argue, is essential to protect clinicians and ensure equitable care for all patients.
See: “Discriminatory Patient Behavior Towards Minority Healthcare Providers: Prevalence, Consequences, and Coping Strategies” (Febraury 5, 2024)
