Health practitioners deal with patients of diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. As such, unconscious biases are experienced in patient and provider relationships and may affect the quality of services given to a patient (Masters et al., 2019). In a profession where trust is imperative, social conditions such as faith and culture may affect this interaction. Masters et al. (2019) points out that the service provider has to develop cultural humility, mindfulness, and compassion in giving their services to avoid this bias and possible discrimination. The authors explain cultural humility as a commitment to self-evaluate and self-critique to provide advocacy for other people.
Unsuitability of the Traditional Medical Care Model
The traditional model of medical care is disease-based and does not promote a provider-patient relationship, and thus creating a diagnostic or therapeutic plan is not possible. This model compiles symptoms elicited by patients and potential diseases constructed from such. This healthcare model is unsuitable for ensuring proper diagnosis and follow-up of the patients’ welfare. Several aspects, including psychological and social stress, may determine the recovery of patients, making a regular check-up indispensable in healthcare provision. The traditional model fails to provide room for such check-ups, making it less efficient than the modern approaches to healthcare.
Implicit bias on provider patient relationship
Implicit bias shapes how providers view their patients, therefore affecting their interaction. Damaged interactions can affect the patient’s health outcomes and trust in the provider. Unfortunately, in many instances, patients pick up the bias and may feel less inclined to engage in their care willingly. Consequently, the mistrust that develops is responsible for ineffective healthcare services and affects the patients’ recovery.
Application of Empathy
As a medical care provider, I would employ an empathetic approach in dealing with my patients. One of the ways to achieve this is perspective talking, listening to my client’s perception and side of the story. I would then maintain a professional tone, stay out of judgment and treat every concern with care and consideration. In the event where the emotions of the clients are involved, I will try to recognize them and work with them to show my respect and concern for their feelings. Finally, before beginning any diagnostic procedures, I will establish a proper communication channel with my patients, making them free to talk to me about anything. In so doing, I will achieve the four components of empathy and foster a good provider-patient relationship.
References
Masters, C., Robinson, D., Faulkner, S., Patterson, E., McIlraith, T., & Ansari, A. (2019). Addressing biases in patient care with the 5Rs of cultural humility, a clinician coaching tool. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 34(4), 627-630.