The meaning of "otherness" in healthcare planning

Otherness holds special meaning in healthcare planning. When clinicians assign the quality of "otherness" to a patient or a patient group, they may justify inadequate care by blaming the patient for the numerous management difficulties he or she presents. This response suggests that as a culture we need to be aware of the moral dimensions of otherness and recognize how this influences care. A case study is offered to illustrate the numerous barriers otherness poses in healthcare planning.