C L O S L E R
Moving Us Closer To Osler
A Miller Coulson Academy of Clinical Excellence Initiative

In honor of MLK day, how do you show equity when caring for patients?

Takeaway

“I try to listen, learn, empathize, look for common ground, and respect the humanity of the person in front of me, regardless of our differences.” -Dr. Lisa Cooper, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Passion in the Medical Profession | January 15, 2021 | <1 min read

Highlights

I have patients direct the conversation by asking, "What do you want to make sure we talk about today?"

Dr. Carl Streed Jr, Boston Medical Center
I listen, stay humble, work on productive ally-ship, and confront my own biases and defensiveness.

Nat Mulkey (they/them), med student, Boston University

I have much to learn and much to change but I've started asking my Black patients if they have the skin care products they need while hospitalized.

Dr. Jenna Miller, Children's Mercy Hospital

Making space for the opening of wounds, not taking anger personally, introducing the concept of moral injury from institutionalized racism, and validating feelings of betrayal.

Dr. David Kopacz, University of Washington

I try to make it clear to my patients that I'm aware of inequities and am trying to learn, personally do better, and be an advocate.

Dr. Colleen Christmas, Johns Hopkins Medicine
I engage in regular self-examination and try to listen, learn, empathize, look for common ground, and respect the humanity of the person in front of me, regardless of our differences.

Dr. Lisa Cooper, Johns Hopkins Medicine
I try to use the word "human" whenever I can in discussions about goals of care. This is a reminder that I'm just a human journeying with another human being.

Dr. Ambereen Mehta, Johns Hopkins Medicine
Giving care in a patient’s preferred language.

Dr. Maddie Rodriguez, Johns Hopkins Medicine
End each encounter with, “Is there anything else I can do for you today?” 

Dr. Jad Abdelsattar, Mayo Clinic
Practice continuous cultural humility.

Dr. Megan Gerber

Dr. Carl Streed Jr, Boston Medical Center

I’m not certain is equity is something you can easily show. Instead, it’s something you do. I have patients direct the conversation by asking, “What do you want to make sure we talk about today?”

Nat Mulkey (they/them), med student, Boston University

I listen, stay humble, work on productive ally-ship, and confront my own biases and defensiveness.

What do you think?

Do you want to add to the conversation? Please share!

Dr. Jenna Miller, Children's Mercy Hospital

I have much to learn and much to change but I’ve started asking my Black patients if they have the skin care products they need while hospitalized.

Dr. David Kopacz, University of Washington

Making space for the opening of wounds, not taking anger personally, introducing the concept of moral injury from institutionalized racism, and validating feelings of betrayal.

Dr. Colleen Christmas, Johns Hopkins Medicine

I’m still learning so much about equity. I try to make it clear to my patients that I’m aware of inequities and am trying to learn, personally do better, and be an advocate. Sadly, there are often topics in current events that make it easy to bring up the topic.

Dr. Lisa Cooper, Johns Hopkins Medicine

I engage in regular self-examination and try to listen, learn, empathize, look for common ground, and respect the humanity of the person in front of me, regardless of our differences.

Dr. Ambereen Mehta, Johns Hopkins Medicine

I try to use the word “human” whenever I can in discussions about goals of care. This is a reminder that I’m just a human journeying with another human being.

Dr. Maddie Rodriguez, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Self-examination is key as well as re-examination of the systems we engage in that adversely affect patients. Practically, I focus on giving care in a patient’s preferred language. This is magnified in the era of COVID treatment and vaccine counseling.

Dr. Jad Abdelsattar, Mayo Clinic

End each encounter with, “Is there anything else I can do for you today?”

Dr. Megan Gerber

I work to build trust and understand (eliminate if possible) power differentials and practice continuous cultural humility. Many believe practicing principles of #traumainformed care can promote equity. I also ask my patient, “What really matters to you? What do you need to be healthy for?”

Conversation

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