The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the health inequities and barriers to primary care faced by Black Americans. Issues Black men and women face in primary care settings include not having their health concerns taken seriously by health professionals. Although your doctor has extensive medical expertise, it's important to advocate for your health due to the potential for unconscious biases.
Bring notes
For some, the doctor’s office can be overwhelming and a bit awkward. It can be easy to forget specific concerns and symptoms. Bringing a note that lists your symptoms and questions helps ensure you’re able to discuss all your concerns with your doctor.
It also optimizes your appointment time and takes the pressure off you to remember. You can also take notes on what your doctor says to help you review and discover patterns in care.
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Research and ask questions
Take the time to learn what your insurance plan covers and complete research about your symptoms and medications. Your search engine search doesn’t override your doctor’s extensive medical experience and education.
But, completing research arms you with a better understanding. Having more information helps you ask smart questions. It also allows you to better understand your required care and can help you direct treatment plan conversations to the less expensive yet equally effective options.
Sometimes providers use big words and medical jargon. Don’t hesitate to interrupt your provider and ask for an explanation. If you’re unclear about an explanation, ask more questions.
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Remember, you are the paying patient. So, don’t be nervous about ensuring you receive the quality care you deserve.
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Say no when you’re not comfortable
Listen to your body. If your doctor suggests a treatment that you’re not comfortable with, speak up. Likewise, if you experience side effects to a treatment plan, it’s okay to say no and discontinue. Studies have identified that physicians perceive Black Americans as having higher pain tolerance than their white counterparts. This implicit bias may have a significant impact on how they prescribe and address your health concerns.
Your doctor is trained with an extensive medical history, but they don’t know your entire medical history, nor can they feel what you feel. So, be sure to advocate for your health. Speak up and say no when you’re uncomfortable with a suggestion.
Based on the urgency, take time to think over a treatment plan or consider a second opinion before deciding.
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Shop around for another doctor
Sometimes, your healthcare provider's personality, communication style or treatment approach may just not be a good fit for you. Don’t hesitate to find a new doctor if you want a second opinion or prefer a doctor with a different communication style. C
ontact your healthcare insurance, shop around on a search engine, or contact specific provider networks to find a new doctor.
If you’d prefer a Black doctor or a specific gender provider, call a provider network and make a request. Based on your needs, consider using specific provider directories to locate doctors with experience treating Black Americans, larger bodies, and LGBTQ-identified persons.
File a complaint
If you have reason to believe that you’ve experienced discrimination or mistreatment by a healthcare provider, file a formal complaint. First, it’s important to bring your complaint to your doctor or hospital supervisor, so they have a chance to recognize their behavior, address your issue or apologize.
However, if that does not work, file a formal complaint. Complaints can be submitted through your state’s Medical Board. If you’re on Medicare, file a complaint through your State's Quality Improvement Organization (QIO). Also, consider leaving a general review on a consumer-facing website.
