Men & Medical Mistrust

As a member of the healthcare profession, I have a duty to ensure that my services are available for all members of society. 
Dr Wizdom Powell, lead author of a study in the journal Behavioral Medicine, points out that “medical mistrust is significantly contributing to delays in African American men utilizing the health care system”. 
​
The study refers to the need for ‘patient-centered interactions’ which are characterised by ‘mutually as well as supportive and responsive communication’. This ensures a higher likelihood of ‘patient to trust’.  As the study points out:

“For African-American men, who are disproportionately exposed to daily, racialized slights against their humanity, a little patient-centeredness could go a long way in restoring their medical organization trust, as well as improving timely detection and screening.”

In addition, the study points out that I, as a clinician, need to remain aware of the “the more pernicious role of structural racism in policies, practices, and procedures impacting medically vulnerable and underserved populations”.  

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08964289.2019.1585327

Chris Warren-Dickins LLB MA LPC
Psychotherapist, (Licensed Professional Counselor), Ridgewood NJ 07450
www.exploretransform.com               201-779-6917              chris@exploretransform.com