Inequity in Care- and how unconscious bias can influence patient outcomes

Equity Voices SenseMaker Project Story or Micro-Narrative | View Story Interpretations (Summarizing All Stories)

Years ago I did a home visit for a middle school student who cared for her grandmother. When I arrived, she was also caring for her cousin who was 2 years old. Her cousin was missing his hands and feet. At some point, the mother arrived and shared the story of how her son lost his limbs. She shared he was sick, and she went to several er’s and was turned away and accused of abusing her son as his limbs were black and blue. Eventually her son was received at a hospital, and was eventually diagnosed treated for an infection, eventually resulting in the loss of limbs. I always wondered if this mother was taken seriously at the 1st hospital, and her son received the appropriate treatment in a timely manor, would he still have his hands and feet. This experience demonstrated to me people may have a difference experience when seeking medical care based on unconscious biases people have.

About This Story

  • When did this story occur? 10-20 years ago
  • Date submitted: 2021-04-07 12:00
  • Gender: Female

How This Person Interpreted Their Story or Micro-Narrative

Note: Responses which fell closer to the middle (between two or three options) are shown as two dashes.
  • My story shows we need to: Do things differently
  • In my story, the important players are: --
  • Actions in my story are driven by: --
  • In my story, people acted: NA
  • My story shows we need to focus on: Making things right, here and now
  • In my story, people are: Treated differently, some are worth more than others
  • My story shows: People aren't heard
  • The experiences that shape my feelings on equity come from: My professional world