According to an article in the recent edition of AM News, a survey has found that at least some docs are beginning to accept that they play a role in the disparity in the quality of care provided to minority populations. Some of the survey results from the article:
- The AMA Institute for Ethics surveyed nearly 2,000 primary care
physicians about health care disparities. Among the findings:
* 89% said they thought it was possible to provide high-quality
care to all of their patients.
* 88% cared for minority patients during their training "often" or
"very often."
* 87% cared for a patient within the previous month who did not
speak English fluently.
* 75% said they were in a position to make a difference in the
quality of care that minority patients receive.
* 70% reported being well-informed about possible cultural
differences between themselves and their patients.
* 55% agree that minority patients generally receive lower quality
care than white patients.
* 50% worked with someone who had a special interest in improving
the health of minority patients.
* 41% said their curriculum included some classes specifically
devoted to minority health issues.
