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Gender and age bias in triage decisions
1University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
Journal of Emergency Nursing
|April 5, 2000
Summary
Emergency department nurses may overlook myocardial infarction (MI) in women due to gender bias. This contributes to higher mortality rates for women with MI. Further research and education are needed.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Cardiology
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Women are diagnosed with myocardial infarction (MI) less often than men and have higher mortality rates.
- Existing research highlights disparities in MI diagnosis and treatment between genders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine emergency department (ED) nurses' triage decisions for patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of MI.
- To understand the factors influencing these triage decisions, particularly concerning gender.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study utilizing four focus group sessions with ED nurses.
- Data were collected through tape-recorded oral descriptions, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using the Krueger method.
Main Results:
- Triage decisions are influenced by patient presentation, nursing experience, practice environment, intuition, fear of liability, and gender-specific behaviors.
- ED nurses perceived MI risk differently for male and female patients.
- MI was not the primary diagnosis considered for middle-aged women by ED nurses.
Conclusions:
- ED nurses' potential under-recognition of MI in middle-aged women may contribute to higher morbidity and mortality.
- Findings underscore the need for improved nursing education and practice regarding gender-specific MI presentation.