Hypocritical oaths -- medicine's dirty secrets | Charlotte Blease | TEDxFulbrightDublin

Summary

This thought-provoking talk explores the deep-rooted psychological biases within the medical profession, highlighting how factors like race, age, and socioeconomic status can significantly affect patient care. The speaker emphasizes that even accredited doctors may lack self-awareness about their biases, leading to misdiagnoses and unequal treatment. By addressing these systemic issues and advocating for empathy and evidence-based practices, the talk calls for a transformation in healthcare. It encourages both medical professionals and patients to recognize and challenge implicit biases, fostering a more equitable and effective healthcare environment.

Takeaways

• 😀 Gerald Barnes was appointed Head Physician without any formal medical training, relying on his instincts and the influence of a hospital drama.
• 😀 Patients' socioeconomic status significantly impacts their medical experience, leading to disparities in time and quality of consultations.
• 😀 Racial disparities in healthcare are evident, with Black patients less likely to receive necessary procedures compared to white patients.
• 😀 Ageism in medicine often leads to under-treatment of older patients, with many excluded from clinical trials despite their prevalence in diseases like breast cancer.
• 😀 Biases against clinically obese patients can result in reduced screenings and treatment opportunities, affecting their health outcomes.
• 😀 Empathy is crucial for effective doctor-patient relationships, influencing treatment compliance and health outcomes.
• 😀 Despite awareness of biases in medicine, doctors often deny personal discrimination, leading to persistent systemic issues.
• 😀 Implicit biases can affect behavior unconsciously, as evidenced by social psychology studies indicating most people do not recognize their biases.
• 😀 The division between biomedical facts and behavioral sciences in medical education hinders the holistic approach needed in patient care.
• 😀 The medical field must adopt a more evidence-based approach, integrating human sciences to improve the understanding and treatment of psychological factors in healthcare.

Q & A

Who is Gerald Barnes, and what is notable about his career?

Gerald Barnes is a man who became the Head Physician and Medical Director at Executive Health Group in Los Angeles without formal medical training. His notable career was shaped by a strong bedside manner and instincts learned from watching the hospital drama 'E.R.'

What issue does the speaker highlight regarding the treatment of patients based on socioeconomic status?

The speaker points out that patients from higher socioeconomic backgrounds receive about 20% more time with their doctors, better explanations, and more positive interactions compared to those from lower socioeconomic statuses.

How does race factor into health disparities according to the script?

The transcript notes that Black patients are significantly less likely to be referred for cardiac surgery compared to white patients, despite having similar clinical needs. This disparity is attributed to systemic biases in the medical field.

What role does age play in medical treatment and decision-making?

Ageism is prevalent in medicine, with doctors often relying on a patient's chronological age rather than biological age. This can lead to older patients being underrepresented in clinical trials and receiving inadequate treatment.

What evidence is presented regarding the misdiagnosis rates in medicine?

The speaker cites studies indicating that 10 to 20% of medical consultations result in misdiagnoses, leading to an estimated 160,000 deaths per year in the United States due to these errors.

What psychological concepts does the speaker relate to the persistence of biases in medicine?

The speaker discusses the 'Lake Woebegone' effect, where individuals, including doctors, tend to view themselves as above average, which can result in a lack of acknowledgment of their biases and shortcomings.

How does evolutionary psychology relate to modern medical practice?

The speaker explains that our Palaeolithic instincts, such as the preference for individuals with desirable traits, influence current medical behaviors and the way patients are treated, often leading to biases against the disadvantaged.

What is the proposed solution to address biases in the medical field?

One proposed solution is to adopt practices from the military, such as making committees accountable for ensuring diversity and representation, which could help raise awareness of implicit biases among medical professionals.

What does the speaker suggest about the relationship between empathy and medical outcomes?

The speaker emphasizes that empathy is crucial for treatment compliance. When patients feel listened to by their doctors, they are more likely to follow medical advice, which can lead to better health outcomes.

What changes does the speaker advocate for in medical education and practice?

The speaker advocates for a more integrated approach in medical education, emphasizing the importance of the human sciences alongside biomedical training to improve the understanding of psychological biases and enhance patient care.