Race in Research and HealthCare - Essay Example

Race in Research and HealthCare Race in Research and HealthCare Introduction Healthcare and society are two interdependent phenomenons. Healthcare is associated with society since its evolution. Although means of healthcare have transformed over the period, the basic concepts have remained the same. It should be noted that the contemporary relationship between healthcare and society has been a different one as a few racial factors have dominated the relationship. Racism has certainly affected the research, employment and healthcare industry. Individuals have now become direct victims of racism in the healthcare industry. Summary Article 01: In the article, ‘The conceptualization and operationalization of race and ethnicity by health services researchers’ by Susan Moscou, the main focus is on the racial and ethnic variables. It is stated by the author that in the health services research industry, these two variables are the most common terms that are used and experienced by individuals (Moscou, 2008). It was revealed that race and ethnicity illustrated different meanings as both the terms were not operationalized. For this reason, the results showed that the subtext was unclear. Since the sample was from different geographical regions, therefore, the meaning of race and ethnicity in healthcare and research was different to the majority of them (Moscou, 2008). It should be noted that despite of the fact that all the participants had different perspectives and understandings of race and ethnicity, however majority of them believed that the race and ethnicity was a major cause of discrimination, marginalization, socio-economic disparity, etc. in healthcare and research. Similarly, race and ethnicity were also considered as genuine elements that have a major contribution regarding racial discrimination in the society, particularly the healthcare industry. Thus, the article concluded that the race and ethnicity do have negative impacts on the research and healthcare industry in a variety of ways. However, the work done by the author require further studies and advanced researches on the same subject so that the topic is analyzed deeply and in a much brief manner (Moscou, 2008). Article #02: In the article ‘Racism in the Examination Room: Myths, Realities, and Consequences’ author Jeanette E. South-Paul has emphasized on the fact that the element of race does not have a good social history. To support her argument she has also referenced a few other articles that have also discussed the same idea. For example the article ‘Family medicine’ by Anderson, the core idea is similar to that that Jeanette’s (South-Paul, 2001). In the article, she has highlighted some very astonishing and hidden truths regarding human health, race, and society. She mentioned how common health services are not available or is limited to ethnic minorities. Similarly, prenatal care, increased blood pressure rates, and other chronic diseases are also common among the lower classes of the societies. It suggests that the healthcare is divided for the society on the basis of race and ethnicity (South-Paul, 2001). Furthermore, the author has also discussed some myths related to race. She explained that how the racial myths are inherited by humans and how they have affected the modern societies. In a similar manner, realities such as an influence of some sound factors that include cultural and social factors also have an impact on the overall healthcare industry and race. Consequences such as the overuse of the race in the field of medicine, which also includes stereotyping etc., are some other factors for the racial discrimination in healthcare industry (South-Paul, 2001). The author has taken help from numerous studies and authors. According to Camara Jones, the US society is a mixture of racism as multiple levels of racial discrimination exists in the US society particularly the healthcare industry. Medical education and practice are two essential factors regarding this subject. All the patients i.e. the members of the society should be treated equally without any inequality (South-Paul, 2001). Article # 03: The article, ‘I am a Racially Profiling Doctor’, by Sally Satel has bravely discussed how racial discrimination have been an issue for Blacks in the United States. Referencing the example of a disease known as ‘enalapril’ the author evidenced a study through which she explained how soe medicines were less helpful to the blacks than the whites. Shocking results were concluded from the study. Furthermore, the author has also referenced a few other studies in which cases of racial profiling in healthcare industry have been studied. For example, the essay entitled, ‘Racial profiling in medical research’, by Robert S. Schwartz described that there are some specific race-based medicines that are wrong, scientifically as well as morally (Satel, 2002). The author has also conducted study in the clinic in Washington where she works as a psychiatrist. She has observed various racial trends amongst the black and white patients. The author has illustrated numerous examples of race and ethnicity in healthcare by referencing articles and studies. Thus, according to her the issue of racial profiling and sensitivity in the healthcare industry still haunts the United States (Satel, 2002) If the three articles are compared then it could be said that although article 1 has discussed the topic in a more adequate manner and following a proper research method, it lacks some basic understanding of the hypothesis as the sample that was selected was from different regions and had their own perceptions. Therefore, a follow-up research is essential for article 01 in order to make things clear. On the other hand, the author of article 2 has not conducted any research but has used relevant past studies and articles of various authors and has tried to support the viewpoint in a much clear manner. Sally has made her point clear by referencing previous studies as well as by highlighting the results of a short study that was conducted by her. In this regard it could be said that the author of the third article has taken a broader approach to express her perspective (Moscou, 2008; South-Paul, 2001). All the authors have discussed the same topic and have highlighted how race and ethnicity have negative impacts on the society. While the only difference in the articles is that the second article did not follow any proper research method while the author of the first article did so while the third article has particularly discussed about the racial profiling between the blacks and whites in the United States (Moscou, 2008; South-Paul, 2001). After reading the given articles and going through a few other studies, it could be said that race is a strong variable in demographic information in the healthcare industry and has a strong influence on it. According to Kronenfeld, 2010 race and ethnicity have a strong influence on healthcare and research and should be considered as important factors harming them. He further added that numerous studies and cases from the past have been analyzed that presented how race and ethnic issues have caused various challenges for individuals of society. Similarly, Thorby, Jorgensen, Seigel, & Ayanian, 2011, also presented cases that highlighted the deficiencies in the healthcare system because of race. Furthermore the article also presented measures (data collection etc.) through which the deficiencies can be diminished. Numerous individuals are not able to have proper medical treatment on the basis of their ethnic minorities and backgrounds (Siegel, 2013). I strongly agree with the perspective of the aforementioned authors and what they have discussed in their articles. All the authors have brilliantly discussed the topic in a detailed manner that allowed me to understand the subject in an effective manner. I have myself witnessed a few incident of racial profiling among people in the hospitals, thus I believe that what the authors have presented is correct. Racial profiling is a growing issue in the healthcare industry of the United States. I believe that more authors and researchers should come forward in order to express their concern so that the issue might be resolved and those who are being affected by it must get proper treatment and medication from the healthcare industry regardless of their ethnic background. Thus, it can be concluded that the aforementioned articles suggests that race and ethnicity do have a strong role in healthcare and research industry and affects individuals of society in a negative manner. The authors have sought help of research methodologies and studies and have tried to support their argument. Reference List Kronenfeld, J. J. (2010). The Impact of Demographics on Health and Healthcare : Race, Ethnicity and other Social Factors. Bradford: Emerald Group Pub. Moscou, S. (2008). The conceptualization and operationalization of race and ethnicity by health services researchers. Nursing Inquiry, 15(2), 94-105. Satel, S. (2002, May 5). I Am a Racially Profiling Doctor. Retrieved from nytimes.com: http://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/05/magazine/i-am-a-racially-profiling-doctor.html?pagewanted=print Siegel, B. (2013). REAL Data Collection Essential for Care of Vulnerable Populations. Journal of Healthcare Management, 58(6), 392-394. South-Paul, J. E. (2001). Racism in the Examination Room:Myths, Realities, and Consequences. (Fam Med, 33(6), 473-475. Thorby, R., Jorgensen, S., Seigel, B., & Ayanian, J. Z. (2011). How Health Care Organizations Are Using Data on Patients Race and Ethnicity to Improve Quality of Care. Milbank Quarterly, 89(2), 226-255. Read More