The US population is becoming more diverse. The odds of intercultural doctor-patient interactions are increasing rapidly. If you look at direct healthcare workers, ethnic minorities form the majority of the workforce. In any clinical encounter, both the clinician and the patient has to adhere to principles of civility and respectful interactions.
Data show that when patients experience microagressions during clinical interactions, they experience anxiety and depression. Their mistrust increases and their adherence to the careplan decreases.
When calinicians encounter racist or otherwise biased patients, they may choose to recuse themselves of unconsciously distance themselves from the patient resulting in poor quality care.
In keeping with the increasing diversity in the population, patients and clinicians should adhere to a code of conduct that included mutual respect and tolerance for each other.
