When the annual Fred Med Medical Error Conference program was released today and it did not include any panels on racism in medical care, the organizers said it was “such a big topic there was no way to cover it, so we excluded it from the program.”
The Fred’s University graduate students behind the unofficial Association of Imaginary Schools’ Educational Cat Video series immediately released a response in the form of a new Youtube short which outlines why racism itself is a medical error.
Although they claimed to be prohibited by state law from apologizing for their error, the Fred Med organizers said they were sorry that the cat video got more attention than their conference program release.
Below is the text of the video, “Racism is A Medical Error,” with annotations.
Racism is A Medical Error
Denying pain relief to black patients is a medical error.
Black patients are 22% less likely to receive pain treatment than whites.
Everyone experiences pain.
Not listening to patients of color is a medical error.
Doctors’ failure to listen to black mothers contributes to the high black maternal death rate.
Listen to black patients.
Failing to refer people of color to specialists is a medical error.
Patients of color are significantly less likely to get referrals to specialists.
Advocate for appropriate care of patients of color.
Unnecessary surgeries on people of color is a racist medical error
Black patients lose limbs at triple the rate of others.
Treat all bodies with respect.
Treating black patients with contempt is a medical error.
Black patients are treated with disrespect at three times the rate of white patients.
Dignity is the standard of care.
Music by Sarah, the Illstrumentalist, “Permanent Record” by Epidemic Sound.
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