When Choosing a Doctor Does Race or Ethnicity Come Into Play?
Recently a colleague was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, because it’s been something I’ve been dealing with for the last 5 years, she asked for a doctor recommendation. Since we live in the same area, I didn’t hesitate to recommend my doctor to her. When I gave her his card, she looked at it and gave it back to me and asked, “Is he white? I only use black doctors”. I told her technically he’s Jewish and she probably wouldn’t find a better Rheumatologist than him in our area. Nope, she wasn’t hearing it, she needed a black doctor. I didn’t press the issue any further.
I’ve had doctors of all types of backgrounds. When I’m picking a doctor, rarely does my health directory let me know their race or ethnicity, but it will display the languages they speak. When I search for the reviews of doctors, it’s never mentioned either. I guess I’ve never given thought that people actually seek out doctors of a certain race or ethnicity.
My dermatologist is African-American, but when I walk into his office his patients are diverse. The same goes for my Asian OB-GYN. Even when choosing a new doctor for my son, I searched reviews of doctors in the area. Then matched the names up to my health insurance and picked the best reviewed one, and when I walked into the office I discovered he’s Liberian.
I guess I’m not so picky about the race of a doctor as I am about their reviews and if they come with good referrals. Is it that people may be more comfortable with a doctor from their own background? I do realize if English isn’t a person’s primary language, they may seek out a doctor that speaks their language, but that doesn’t mean much. I know tons of doctors, with English as their first language, that are fluent in other languages. I can only hope my colleague was eventually able to find a doctor to her liking, but I don’t plan on changing any of mine anytime soon.
Do you factor in race or ethnicity when picking a doctor? If so, why?
Not really, but it can be a plus if they are black. I’ve had some really good non-black doctors, but in the back of my mind, I can’t help but wonder if the doctor is racially biased (I’ve been to a couple). It’s not something that I include in my searches, though. My current pcp is Indian. She’s the best doctor I’ve ever had. So thorough with her care and testing, compassionate, friendly, and has a great bedside manner.
Shoot, if I did, I wouldn’t have a doctor at all! I did go to a dermatologist once that made me wish for a black derm…I have saeborric dermititis and she told me to wash my (then relaxed) hair every day. When I looked at her crazy, she told me to just condition my hair well and it should be okay. Umm, no.
Race isn’t but sex is. I would never go to a male for my general physician or gynecologist. Everything else, I really don’t care.
I agree, I always go with a female gyno. Personal preference. Male gynos creep me out!