The Impact of Patient Prejudice on Minoritized Female Physicians

Abstract

BackgroundPatient bias and prejudice directed against physicians from diverse backgrounds is a frequent occurrence in healthcare. Female physicians have long experienced discrimination in the healthcare system based on their gender alone. The dynamic known as Patient Prejudice toward Providers (PPtP) is disproportionately affecting female physicians because it is frequently compounded by sexism.AimThe goal of this study was to explore the impact of PPtP on female resident and attending physicians.MethodsUsing transcribed one-on-one interviews from a larger study of PPtP affecting resident and attending physicians, ten interviews with female physicians (resident and attending) from diverse ethnic backgrounds and countries of training at a large academic medical center were analyzed. The authors independently reviewed the interviews using an iterative process within and across interviews to inductively identify repeating words, phrases, and concepts relevant to the study aim.ResultsDemographics of the ten participants included age (mean 34.6 years), ethnicity (6 Asian, 2 Hispanic, 2 African), and country of training (10% IMG vs. 90% US trained). Four of the interviewees were residents and six were attendings. Themes that emerged from the analysis included experiencing “A Gendered Continuum of Abuse,” “Establishing a Higher Standard of Competency,” “Overcoming the Stereotype of the White Male Physician,” “The Physicality of Self Identity,” and “The Need to be Protective of Minoritized Trainees.” All participants agreed that these perceptions created an adverse environment at the workplace and impacted on patient care.ConclusionsDiscrimination of physicians based on their gender or their race/ethnicity has been reported. This study highlights the compounded effects of patient prejudice on female minoritized physicians. Organizations and individuals should identify and implement strategies to address the impact of PPtP and sexism in order to create an environment where all women can thrive professionally.

The physician experience of patient to provider prejudice (PPtP)

“…They include both overt actions such as refusing care or making negative comments as well as covert gestures such as “side-eyeing” or body language. As with our previous work, female residents or physicians felt more targeted, especially when they were mistaken for a nurse or received sexist comments on their appearance ( 22 ).…”

“…The affected provider then can feel not only disrespected but also isolated in their experience. At the same time, bystanders who witness more overt forms of rejection, such as belittling or humiliation, describe a sense of helplessness in reacting appropriately ( 22 ). Depending on the status or experience of the bystanders, confronting the patient and immediate response to the situation might be difficult.…”

“…These negative interactions between patients and providers can have many destructive downstream effects ( 22 ). Research on “difficult” patients, or patients who use physically or psychologically violent behaviors toward providers documents that such interactions cause emotional and moral distress, burnout, poor performance, and job dissatisfaction ( 21 , 23 – 27 ).…”

Workplace Mistreatment of Swedish Health Care Professionals: Prevalence and Perpetrators across Profession, Sex, and Birth Country

“…Working in close physical contact with unclear boundaries between what patients are "allowed" to do can affect organisations' response to sexual harassment (31,32). Prioritisation of patient satisfaction has been identi ed as an important risk factor for exposure to sexual harassment among health professionals (31), as well as racial slurs and microaggressions (19,33). Some healthcare professionals also perceive that unwelcome sexual behaviours are considered part of the job, and complaints from healthcare professionals are therefore dismissed (27,31,32).…”

Investment Challenges Faced By Working Women In Kerala: A Structural Equation Modelling Analysis

“…They grace classrooms and lecture halls, wield stethoscopes and scalpels, navigate the digital realms of IT, crunch numbers in finance, and offer warm welcomes in hospitality. Their impact is profound, and their aspirations reach far beyond the palm-fringed borders of their homeland (Dellasega et al, 2022). However, despite Kerala's supportive environment, the women who drive change still face stark obstacles when it comes to investing-the steppingstone to economic freedom (Kumar & Kumar, 2020 Steelyana, 2012).…”