How Can Bias Against Overweight Patients Be Lessened?
More Programs and Publications Featuring Dr. Brandy Gunsolus
In this program:
For overweight patients who experience bias, how can they help ensure equitable testing? Medical laboratory scientist Dr. Brandy Gunsolus shares her perspective and patient advice.
Transcript
Interviewer:
What steps can be taken to mitigate bias and promote equitable health testing for overweight individuals?
Dr. Brandy Gunsolus:
So the first thing that needs to be done is providers need to understand that they do have a bias against overweight individuals. I, myself am overweight, and I can tell you that throughout my entire lifetime, because I have been overweight since birth, I have faced much bias as has many other overweight individuals. And if you are overweight and a minority, it's even worse. And the ultimate is overweight, a minority and female, you almost feel like your concerns are completely dismissed. Providers need to learn that they do have these biases and while there are conditions that weight is a risk factor, if the symptoms are new, those new symptoms are not due to weight. If things have changed, it's not due to weight. And providers need to be aware of that.
Patients need to understand that they have strength in taking control of their own healthcare. If you have a provider that you believe is treating you differently because of your weight, tell them and then find a new provider, there are plenty of providers out there, you can find another one.
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