Becker's Clinical Quality & Infection Control

27 PATIENT & CAREGIVER EXPERIENCE 1 in 4 older adults of color report discrimination in US healthcare, study finds By Kelly Gooch O lder Americans are experiencing racial and ethnic discrim- ination that is taking a toll on their health, according to an analysis released April 21 by the Commonwealth Fund. For the analysis, researchers examined experiences of racial discrim- ination in healthcare among Latino/Hispanic and Black older adults using the Commonwealth Fund 2021 International Health Policy Survey of Older Adults. e survey, conducted from March 1-June 14, 2021, was taken by a nationally representative sample of 1,969 U.S. adults 60 and older. e survey was also taken by 16,868 adults 65 and older in 10 other high-income countries: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Four findings from the analysis: 1. Among the 11 high-income countries surveyed, 32 percent of old- er adults in the U.S. reported that their health system treats people differently because of their race or ethnicity. at compares to 17 percent of older adults in Canada and 16 percent of older adults in Switzerland. 2. In the U.S., 1 in 4 Black and Latino/Hispanic older adults said they have been treated unfairly or felt their health concerns were not taken seriously because of their racial or ethnic background. at is about eight times the rate for older white adults who said the same. 3. Twenty-seven percent of older adults in the U.S. who experienced discrimination based on race or ethnicity reported not receiving the care they felt they needed. 4. In the U.S., older patients experiencing discrimination based on race or ethnicity have more healthcare needs and are more likely to report material hardships and feel dissatisfied with their care than older patients who do not report discrimination, the report said. n AAMC rolls out curriculum standards for diversity, equity and inclusion By Georgina Gonzalez T he Association of American Medical Colleges on July 15 released a new set of competency standards for medical students, residents and physicians that include issues related to culturally competent care and how to care for those who are overweight. Previous research has shown that physicians are less likely to show respect to overweight patients, usually classified as having a body mass index of over 30, even as 73 percent of Americans fall under the overweight or obese category, NBC News reported May 21. "This is almost like malpractice. You have these physicians or clinicians — whoever they are — relating everything to the patient's obesity without investigation," said Scott Butsch, MD, director of obesity medicine at the Cleveland Clinic. "The stereotypes and misperceptions around this disease just bleed into clinical practice." AAMC has also developed the PREview exam for those who are applying to medical school as a way to measure cultural competency, listening skills and empathy. n More than 1 in 4 physicians are friends with patients: report By Kelly Gooch T wenty-nine percent of physicians said they have friends who are also their patients, even though that is discouraged by the American Medical Association. That is one of the findings from a Medscape report released June 29. The report surveyed more than 2,300 physicians in 29 specialties from Jan. 22 to March 2. Four other findings: 1. About half of physicians said they counted at least 11 friends, and the other half counted fewer (the average American has 16, according to a 2021 survey). 2. Seventy-three percent of physicians said they at least sometimes find it hard with their career to nurture family and friend relationships. 3. Eighty-two percent of female physicians said they have friends of the opposite sex, compared to 79 percent of male physicians. 4. Nearly 60 percent of physicians said they choose friends based on political views; 63 percent seek friends with a similar educational and financial background and 71 percent prefer friends at a similar life stage. n

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