One Resident's Recommendations for Responding to Unjust Patient Bias

Abstract

All clinicians have the right to work in environments free of discrimination. Trends such as shared decision making and tying reimbursement to patient satisfaction metrics prompt us to ask how we should respond to patient preferences that express unjust bias or prejudice. This article presents one orthopedic surgery resident physician's experience of bias incidents, suggests strategies for addressing patient discrimination, and offers patient care recommendations.