Inequities in Patient Care: Diverse societies as a possible solution? 

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Mr. Afana Ebang Steve Landry, a 4th year medical student at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Cameroon. He is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the writer and do not necessarily reflect IFMSA’s view on the topic, nor The European Sting’s one.

Inequities in patient care refer to the avoidable and unjust differences in healthcare access, quality, and outcomes experienced by different population groups. These inequities usually stem from various factors including but not limited to patients’ gender, socioeconomic status, race, and ethnicity and geographic location, leading to marginalized populations experiencing reduced access to quality care and definitely poorer health outcomes. Do diverse societies have a role to play in addressing patient care inequities? Definitely, they are critical in addressing health inequities around the globe. 

Cultural differences greatly account for health inequities and to combat these disparities, health professionals and students need to develop cultural competence. This crucial skill has to do with  understanding and respecting cultural differences that influence health beliefs and behaviors. Including training programs focused on enhancing cultural competence in medical curricula can improve patient-provider interaction and enhance  satisfaction. Such programs should emphasize on the importance of understanding patients’ backgrounds and health beliefs. Community engagement is equally essential to address these cultural disparities. Community members can be involved in the design and implementation of loc health programs. This   ensures that interventions are culturally relevant and responsive to specific needs. 

Also, gender disparities play a significant role in healthcare inequities. Gender disparities are often multifaceted and can be regarded as normal in certain localities which shouldn’t be the case. Women and nonbinary individuals often experience delays in diagnosis and treatment  due to various stereotypes. These disparities can eventually give rise to significant health risks and poorer health outcomes. 

The recurrent presence of systemic inequities across health systems definitely requires  policy reforms. Advocating for equitable healthcare policies can lead to the end of structural barriers perpetuating health disparities. Medical students should engage in advocacy efforts to promote policies addressing social determinants of health. 

Working towards diverse societies is essential for tackling inequities in patient approach. Future Medical  practitioners can ensure that all patients receive equitable care by developing cultural competence, engaging communities, advocating for policy reforms and taking appropriate initiatives. By doing so, they can contribute to a more inclusive healthcare system that will improve health outcomes for all patients.

References

1. Rukadikar, Charushila1; Mali, Snehalata2; Bajpai, Ritu3; Rukadikar, Atul4; Singh, Amit K.5. A review on cultural competency in medical education. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care 11(8):p 4319-4329, August 2022. | DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_2503_21

2. Wheeler SM, Bryant AS. Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health and Health Care. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2017 Mar;44(1):1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.ogc.2016.10.001. PMID: 28160887.

3. Haldane V, Chuah FLH, Srivastava A, Singh SR, Koh GCH, Seng CK, et al. (2019) Community participation in health services development, implementation, and evaluation: A systematic review of empowerment, health, community, and process outcomes. PLoS ONE 14(5): e0216112. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0216112

About the author

Afana Ebang Steve Landry is a 4th year medical student at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Cameroon. He is a passionate advocate for sexual and reproductive health and rights and public health. He serves as Director of the standing committee on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SCORA) of Cameroon Medical Students Association (CAMSA). He sees himself as a catalyst for impactful positive change and a healthier future for communities. Beyond his academic and professional commitments, he finds joy in mentoring academic juniors, singing and volunteering for community services during summer.