Ask The Doctor: Addressing medical mistrust

This information is shared for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. The views expressed are those of the featured medical professional and reflect information available to that professional at time of filming (October 1, 2020). Always consult a health care provider for any personal health decisions.

TRANSCRIPT:
There has been a long history of medical mistrust in the Black community. And rightly so. But I think now especially during this pandemic, when we need to garner trust and build trust and community, it’s time for us to move beyond what happened, because protections are in place now for people and we need to educate people about how 2020 is not 1940 or it’s not around the time of the Tuskegee research study. And help people understand why it’s different.

But the other thing I often challenge people about when we talk about this mistrust in the Black community is that, you don’t have to go all the way back to Tuskegee to understand why people in the Black community might mistrust the healthcare system. You can talk to them about their experiences today in the healthcare system.

People tell me all the time how they felt disrespected, unheard. People weren’t listening to them, were condescending, and this happens today in the healthcare system.

I think one of the biggest drivers of mistrust, is our failure to plainly communicate health information. So, if I don’t understand what you’re saying I don’t trust you.

The distrust can be addressed by showing up, by being present, and by communicating with people with dignity and respect. But we have a long way to go to build trust, especially with the Black community.