Institutional Racism

Thuy Bui, Alia Chisty

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

Institutional racism is a set of practices and policies that disadvantage individuals not part of societies’ dominant groups and result in racial disparities in outcomes [1]. Institutional racism, often indirect and unintentional, is caused by the processes, structure, and governance of an organization. There is well-documented discrimination, subjugation, and oppression of Black patients, patients of color, and uninsured and poor patients in our healthcare system. Moreover, personal racism is reinforced by institutional promotion of policies, behaviors, and attitudes, which advantage Whites to the detriment of other racial groups. Institutional racism also contributes to lack of diversity in the health professions, poor primary care, and specialty access for racial minority patients and lower quality of care [2, 3]. Healthcare in the USA is a business that utilizes exploitive practices seen in other industries. Most of the current institutional efforts are related to cultural competency and personal and interpersonal racism without attention to broader policies and practices. Implicit bias and cultural competency training are often mandated to shield upper management from the difficult task of addressing institutional racism. Healthcare organizations can start by examining all policies and practices for racial bias, embracing equity-centered design together with concerted efforts to recruit, retain, and promote clinicians and staff from underrepresented backgrounds.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationLeading an Academic Medical Practice, Second Edition
PublisherSpringer International Publishing
Pages357-376
Number of pages20
ISBN (Electronic)9783031402739
ISBN (Print)9783031402722
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2024

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Medicine
  • General Health Professions

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