Racial Categories in Medical Practice: How Useful Are They?
Author Information
Author(s): Lundy Braun, Anne Fausto-Sterling, Duana Fullwiley, Evelynn M. Hammonds, Alondra Nelson, William Quivers, Susan M. Reverby, Alexandra E. Shields
Primary Institution: Brown University
Hypothesis
Is it good medical practice for physicians to 'eyeball' a patient's race when assessing their medical status?
Conclusion
Relying on racial categories in medical practice can lead to serious medical errors and missed diagnoses.
Supporting Evidence
- Racial profiling in medicine can lead to serious medical errors.
- Historical definitions of race in medicine have been vague and inconsistent.
- Self-identified race may not accurately reflect genetic differences.
Takeaway
Doctors shouldn't just look at a patient's race to decide how to treat them; it's better to ask about their family history and health needs.
Potential Biases
Using race as a proxy for genetic differences can lead to oversimplifications and misdiagnoses.
Limitations
The definitions of racial categories are historically and culturally specific, which complicates their use in medical practice.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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