When a patient's ethnicity is declared, medical students' decision-making processes are affected

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Health Disparities
• Clinical Decision-Making

Background:

• Health disparities persist for Indigenous populations globally.
• Health practitioner bias contributes to these disparities.
• This study investigates medical students' clinical decision-making.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore senior medical students' clinical decision-making processes.
• To identify potential ethnic biases in medical students' perceptions of patients.
• To inform medical curricula for improved health equity.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study with 30 final-year medical students (Australia and Hawaii).
• Students responded to a paper-based case, in writing and interviews.
• Thematic analysis of interview transcripts was conducted.

Main Results:

• Subtle biases detected in students' discourse about Indigenous patients.
• Four themes emerged: patient as person, patient construction, interactions, and education value.
• Strong commitment to patient agenda and trust in doctor-patient relationships.

Conclusions:

• Findings can advance medical curricula to promote equitable patient outcomes.
• Highlights the presence of subtle ethnic biases in medical practice.
• Emphasizes the need for bias awareness in physician training.