Return to Activity: Patient’s Voice in CME: Episode 3 - A Look at Healthcare Disparities #1

CME/CE Test

Patient’s Voice in CME: Episode 3 - A Look at Healthcare Disparities #1

Yasmeen is a 40-year-old female patient with history of HIV infection, depression, and posttraumatic stress and is also wheelchair-bound. She was unable to make her last appointment and presents for a follow-up visit at your clinic today. Two years ago, Yasmeen was compliant with her HIV treatment regimen; however, now she is missing appointments and is no longer up-to-date with well-woman screening exams and tests. Your fellow clinician chides her for missing her last couple of appointments and tells her she would be in better shape if she was compliant. Upon reflection, what can you say about your colleague’s statement?

He/she should have asked her what challenges she may have faced that hindered her from making her appointments

You should have expressed the same sentiments as your colleague to let the patent know the seriousness of her noncompliance

You should immediately have social work see the patient before you do

The statement made is accurate and there are no concerns with what your colleague pointed out
You are a physician assistant (PA) working a night shift when a 21-year-old Black woman is brought into the emergency department with complaints of abdominal pain. You are told by other staff that she is a "frequent flyer" because she comes in often seeking pain management. One colleague states, "She's here all of the time. It looks like drug-seeking behavior to me”. How should you respond to this staff member?

Agree with him/her that frequent flyers, especially Black peoples, are often drug-seeking and thank her for alerting you to this behavior

Ignore the comment and proceed to attend to the patient but still consider it while assessing the pain

Bring the inappropriateness of the remark to the staff member’s attention and how it signifies implicit bias

Report the staff member to hospital administration for further counseling and assessment of implicit bias