Is The Medical Industry
Racist?
Candidate name: Nabeeha Islam
Candidate number: 1075
Word count:
1
,Contents
Abstract
1.1 Introduction
1.2 The types of medical racism
2.1 Racism within medical education and training
2.2 How the treatment from others differs for an ethnic minority doctor
2.3 How race affects career progression
2.4 Health inequities
2.5 Racism within psychiatry
2.6 Racism within dermatology
3. Conclusion
4. Literature review
5. Reference List
6. Bibliography
7. Data from random social media surveys
2
,Abstract
Racism is an issue that has always been of personal interest. It is an issue that
grips the world and the destructiveness of it has become more evident now
through the Black Lives Matter protest and the health disparities regarding
COVID-19. The healthcare industry is one the largest and fastest growing
industries in the economy.1 Its purpose is to help each individual and improve
the quality of life, yet there is a remarkable amount of discrimination which
undermines this aim. The purpose of this report is to explore the causes in order
to decide if the industry is responsible for this and hence possible methods to
combat racial discrimination. The factors that will be analysed in this report
include: medical education and training, how treatment from others differs for
an ethnic minority, career progression and health inequity. This report will also
analyse two careers, psychiatry and dermatology to allow for a deeper
understanding and a stronger evaluation.
1
www.bls.gov. (n.d.). 5 out of 20 fastest-growing industries from 2019 to 2029 are in healthcare and
social assistance : The Economics Daily: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. [online] Available at:
https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2020/5-out-of-20-fastest-growing-industries-from-2019-to-2029-ar
e-in-healthcare-and-social-assistance.htm.
3
, 1.1 Introduction
Racism is an issue which has deeply affected society and still continues to do so.
Although much progress has been made to eradicate racism, it still exists and
affects the lives of many on a daily basis. The medical industry is dedicated to
helping others, yet many ethnic minority doctors and patients still face injustices
contradicting its purpose. However, whether this is a result of systemic racism or
racial prejudice in today's society, remains unclear. This report aims to evaluate
several key factors of medicine to analyse what racial inequalities exist in each
sector and what the causes may be. This can further determine whether the
medical industry is simultaneously creating and exacerbating racism within the
field. The findings within this report will be vital in the development and
progress of a diverse and inclusive healthcare industry. The conclusions may
allow for a better understanding of where such behaviour stems from and what
preventative measures can be established.The healthcare profession is regarded
as one of the most influential. Therefore, if stronger action were to be taken to
prevent discrmination, it could positively impact other industries, ensuring they
follow suit in reducing inequality prevalent in society today.
To answer this question, all of the numerous elements of the medical field must
be analysed. The factors will consist of the following: medical education and
training, the treatment of ethnic minority doctors and patients, health
disparities, career progression, psychiatry and dermatology. These have been
chosen as they are significant stages each individual goes through when
entering the medical sector. Medical education and training is the first stage and
lays the foundation for an individual’s career in medicine. Analysing whether
racism is prevalent in the education system can determine if racist ideals are
taught to students and if people of colour face discrimination from the start of
their career. When examining the treatment of ethnic minority doctors and
patients, it will be necessary to see if poor behaviour comes from colleagues, the
general public or from their seniors. This will show if there is an inherently racist
system built that works against people of colour. Health disparities show an
outstanding difference between people of colour and White people and this is
due to false beliefs. Analysing these health disparities will show evidence of
medical racism and whether they are acknowledged or not will show if
awareness has been raised. Career progression is also a key point in people’s
4
Racist?
Candidate name: Nabeeha Islam
Candidate number: 1075
Word count:
1
,Contents
Abstract
1.1 Introduction
1.2 The types of medical racism
2.1 Racism within medical education and training
2.2 How the treatment from others differs for an ethnic minority doctor
2.3 How race affects career progression
2.4 Health inequities
2.5 Racism within psychiatry
2.6 Racism within dermatology
3. Conclusion
4. Literature review
5. Reference List
6. Bibliography
7. Data from random social media surveys
2
,Abstract
Racism is an issue that has always been of personal interest. It is an issue that
grips the world and the destructiveness of it has become more evident now
through the Black Lives Matter protest and the health disparities regarding
COVID-19. The healthcare industry is one the largest and fastest growing
industries in the economy.1 Its purpose is to help each individual and improve
the quality of life, yet there is a remarkable amount of discrimination which
undermines this aim. The purpose of this report is to explore the causes in order
to decide if the industry is responsible for this and hence possible methods to
combat racial discrimination. The factors that will be analysed in this report
include: medical education and training, how treatment from others differs for
an ethnic minority, career progression and health inequity. This report will also
analyse two careers, psychiatry and dermatology to allow for a deeper
understanding and a stronger evaluation.
1
www.bls.gov. (n.d.). 5 out of 20 fastest-growing industries from 2019 to 2029 are in healthcare and
social assistance : The Economics Daily: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. [online] Available at:
https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2020/5-out-of-20-fastest-growing-industries-from-2019-to-2029-ar
e-in-healthcare-and-social-assistance.htm.
3
, 1.1 Introduction
Racism is an issue which has deeply affected society and still continues to do so.
Although much progress has been made to eradicate racism, it still exists and
affects the lives of many on a daily basis. The medical industry is dedicated to
helping others, yet many ethnic minority doctors and patients still face injustices
contradicting its purpose. However, whether this is a result of systemic racism or
racial prejudice in today's society, remains unclear. This report aims to evaluate
several key factors of medicine to analyse what racial inequalities exist in each
sector and what the causes may be. This can further determine whether the
medical industry is simultaneously creating and exacerbating racism within the
field. The findings within this report will be vital in the development and
progress of a diverse and inclusive healthcare industry. The conclusions may
allow for a better understanding of where such behaviour stems from and what
preventative measures can be established.The healthcare profession is regarded
as one of the most influential. Therefore, if stronger action were to be taken to
prevent discrmination, it could positively impact other industries, ensuring they
follow suit in reducing inequality prevalent in society today.
To answer this question, all of the numerous elements of the medical field must
be analysed. The factors will consist of the following: medical education and
training, the treatment of ethnic minority doctors and patients, health
disparities, career progression, psychiatry and dermatology. These have been
chosen as they are significant stages each individual goes through when
entering the medical sector. Medical education and training is the first stage and
lays the foundation for an individual’s career in medicine. Analysing whether
racism is prevalent in the education system can determine if racist ideals are
taught to students and if people of colour face discrimination from the start of
their career. When examining the treatment of ethnic minority doctors and
patients, it will be necessary to see if poor behaviour comes from colleagues, the
general public or from their seniors. This will show if there is an inherently racist
system built that works against people of colour. Health disparities show an
outstanding difference between people of colour and White people and this is
due to false beliefs. Analysing these health disparities will show evidence of
medical racism and whether they are acknowledged or not will show if
awareness has been raised. Career progression is also a key point in people’s
4
