Black women on the nightmare of seeking healthcare in the US: ‘I have to be my own doctor’
Many Black women in the US report moving through medical settings strategically as a means of survival
TL;DR
- Black women frequently experience dismissal and mistrust from healthcare providers, leading to adverse medical experiences.
- Self-advocacy and intimate knowledge of their bodies are crucial survival tools for Black women navigating the healthcare system.
- Seeking out Black doctors can lead to more positive and trusting medical interactions for Black patients.
- Racial concordance in healthcare is associated with improved health outcomes for Black patients, including reduced disparities and increased preventative care.
- Implicit bias and a lack of understanding of how conditions present in Black patients are significant issues in medical education and practice.
- The burden of navigating bias should be on healthcare systems and providers, not solely on Black patients.
- Race-concordant care is an important component of a broader effort to improve maternal health outcomes and address existing gaps in trust and communication.