Echoes of Injustice: Do Historical Wounds Influence Patient Perceptions of Care?

• In Event: 20820 - Section on Medical Sociology Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (90 minute): Table 10. Racialized Experiences of Healthcare

Abstract

Persistent medical distrust among ethno-racial minorities and women underscores ongoing disparities in healthcare quality and access. Despite public health and policy interventions aimed at addressing these disparities, ethno-racial and gender discrimination in healthcare persists. While previous studies have explored the impact of historical medical atrocities on medical distrust among racial minorities, limited research has examined the degree to which knowledge of historical medical atrocities influences patient perceptions of care. This study aims to fill this gap by assessing how patient perceptions of care, particularly among racial minorities, women, and those who reside at the intersection of these identities, are impacted by this knowledge. Utilizing data from the Pew Research Center’s American Trends Panel, we analyze variations in the association between negative healthcare experiences and gender, race, and ethnicity. We find that greater awareness of historical medical atrocities is associated with an increased likelihood of perceiving more problems in healthcare settings, with these effects being more pronounced among women. Additionally, we find greater racial differences in negative healthcare experiences for women than for men, with white women reporting more negative healthcare experiences overall.

Authors

• Lilith Green, University of Arizona

• Daniel E. Martinez, University of Arizona

• Dylan A Simburger, Rice University