[Racism in health care (part 3): the mediterranean syndrome]

The "Mediterranean syndrome" is an ethno-racial prejudice defining a supposed cultural practice whereby patients from the Mediterranean region express their pain more demonstratively than others. The origins of this syndrome can be traced back in time, and the group of patients labeled under this term has evolved over time to include other populations. It might be comforting to assume that "Mediterranean syndrome" is a thing of the past. However, it is still very much present in healthcare today, and remains a source of racism in healthcare. This article analyses and presents the origins of this concept, and provides caregivers with tools to help recognize and avoid reproducing this discrimination.