How to Navigate the Healthcare System as a Black Patient
Black Report Op-Ed: When it comes to the healthcare system, African Americans often face unique challenges. From racial disparities in care to a lack of access to quality providers, the deck is often stacked against black patients. But there are ways to navigate the system and get the care you need.
Racial disparities in healthcare continue to exist throughout the United States, resulting in a system where black patients receive lower quality medical assistance. Evidence suggests that African Americans are less likely to get recommended care, more likely to miss out on preventative services, and often face difficulty accessing specialty care. Furthermore, many minority patients experience bias when visiting healthcare facilities due to implicit racial biases held by clinicians. Fortunately, there are steps individuals can take to protect their rights and ensure they access the same quality of care as anyone else. This can include researching for ethical providers in your area that specialize in treating the needs of minority communities, or understanding how to appeal decisions made by insurers regarding coverage or care. People should also consider joining advocacy organizations which can provide resources and guidance on navigating health issues within the black community. Taking these proactive steps can help test the limits of a broken healthcare system and make it more equitable for all patients.
Understand your rights as a patient and don’t be afraid to exercise them. It is every patient’s responsibility to make sure that their healthcare provider upholds the highest standards of care and respect for their wellbeing. Knowing your rights can help inform decisions such as demanding access to test results, being offered second opinions, or initiating discussion around medical errors. In addition, you have the right to be treated with decency and respect by healthcare providers. Understanding your legal rights can empower patients to take control over their healthcare journey from diagnosis to recovery. Don’t be afraid to assert yourself if someone is in violation of your rights as a patient; speak out for the greater good of yourself and others in similar situations.
Finding a doctor or healthcare provider that you can trust should be at the top of your agenda when searching for medical attention. When making this selection, look for a professional that is attentive and sympathetic to your needs, while still providing reliable, accurate care. Ask around to friends and family if they have any recommendations; word-of-mouth is one of the best methods for finding a quality healthcare provider. Be sure to read reviews and discuss different options with your insurance provider before committing to a specific care giver. Finding a trustworthy doctor is paramount in building the foundation for a successful patient–provider relationship. Without mutual trust and respect, future visits will not be as beneficial to your health as they could be with an individual that you have faith in.
It’s important to be an active participant in your own healthcare, each step of the way. Keeping close track of your medical history and medications will help ensure you receive tailored treatments and up-to-date information that’s right for you. Done properly, taking the time to understand your health can provide tremendous benefits to your overall well-being, not to mention give you some peace of mind. Make sure you speak with your doctor regularly about new developments related to any diagnoses or treatments, and if there are any changes in how often or what medications you’re taking. Don’t be afraid to ask questions so that when it comes time for checkups, tests, or medical visits, you’ll feel confident and informed.
It is unfortunate that conversations around healthcare disparities largely focus on challenges patients are facing instead of solutions. With the dedicated support of communities, hospitals, and policy makers, it is possible to build a health care system where all individuals have access to quality care that reflects their needs.