This US-based assessment of psychiatrists’ awareness of racial disparities in mental health care evaluated the extent to which psychiatrists believe they contribute to disparities, and sought to determine psychiatrists’ interest in participating in disparities-reduction programmes. Of the 374 psychiatrists who completed the study survey, most said they were not familiar or only a little familiar with the literature on racial disparities. Respondents tended to believe that race has a moderate influence on quality of psychiatric care but that race is more influential in others’ practices than in their own practices. One-fourth had participated in any type of disparities-reduction programme within the past year, and approximately one-half were interested in participating in such a programme.
Having undertaken similar research with clinicians working in cardiology, it is interesting to see the comparable results. Clinicians may not be aware of ethnic disparities and reasons for them. And when asked about discrimination during the clinical encounter, it is often said to be ‘unconscious’. Unfortunately, cultural competency training addresses those biases that are ‘conscious’ to the clinician; further work is required to expose and tackle the unconscious ones!
Independent commentary by Dr. Matire Hardwood
Dr Matire Harwood (Ngapuhi) has worked in Hauora Māori, primary health and rehabilitation settings as clinician and researcher since graduating from Auckland Medical School in 1994. She also holds positions on a number of boards, committees and advisory groups including the Health Research Council. Matire lives in Auckland with her whānau including partner Haunui and two young children Te Rangiura and Waimarie.
Research Review publications are intended for New Zealand health professionals.
Disclaimer: This publication is not intended as a replacement for regular medical education but to assist in the process. The reviews are a summarised interpretation of the published study and reflect the opinion of the writer rather than those of the research group or scientific journal. It is suggested readers review the full trial data before forming a final conclusion on its merits.
