Question

Why is stereotyping dangerous in treating patients?

Answer 1

Sterotyping patients according to their age, race, weight,socio-ecnomic status, gender or other factors have negative impacts on their health.In particular, patients who are judged by health care workers are less likely to trust their health care providers

Harmful effects of sterotyping includes the following

1. Avoidance of health care

Sterotype threat create an unpleasant social climate for patients resulting in avoidance of health care providers and less likely to seek appropriate medical care

2.Ineffective communication with health care providers

Even if patients do not avoid their providers , ineffective communication can hinder their care.Providers need to know medical histories, habit and symptoms to offer the most appropriate course of treatment

3. Non-compliance to therapeutic regimen/treatment plan

Due to sterotypic threat ,interaction with providers arouse anxiety which leads to failure of processing information and experience difficulties in following instructions

Recommendations to reduce harm created by Sterotyping

• Eliminate prejudice,discrimination and disrespectful treatment by clinical and non-clinical staff
• Provide cues that minority social groups are valued
• Reduce anxiety of patient by engaging family members in implementation of care
• Help patient focuses on their strenghts and successes
• Train clinical staff to provide effective feedback to the patinets
• Provide clearly written information, instructions and explanations