Physician bias is real, studies have reported some of the factors that trigger bias: emotional problems, weight, language disparities, and insurance coverage. An example when we see a “patient who has COPD or cancer and is smoking,” its common to think at the back of our mind that this is something they brought upon themselves, which will take away the empathy that you feel for them.
Its very vital to be aware of Physician bias before we enter the patient room, we need to take patient as an individual with individual set of problem and the reason for those problems. Being open minded and non judgmental towards out patients will help reduce the bias and improve physician patient relationship which in turn will lead to better outcomes.
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