Historically bias was a synonym of preference. In psychology and anthropology bias is defined as an inherited preference or learned preference. For example, an inherited dislike of bitter foods. In this way, bias is seen as a conserved evolutionary trait because of how it connoted a survival benefit…
Read MoreThe CDC definition of health disparities acknowledges the role of “-isms” as significant contributing factors of inequities. Some examples of pervasive toxic “-isms” include: racism, sexism, ageism, ableism, heterosexism (i.e., homophobia), classism, sizeism, and antisemitism. “-isms” are the behavioral manifestation of bias, conscious or unconscious, that reinforce oppression and inequities in our culture.
Read MoreI picked up the next chart during my fast track shift. I read the triage note: Back pain, ESI 4. Possibly a herniated disc or some other kind of musculoskeletal back pain…
Read MoreA thin 27-year-old male with no known past medical history presented to the ED for evaluation of 3 days of fever and several weeks of fatigue. Associated symptoms included nausea, diarrhea, and a 15 pound weight loss. On further questioning, the patient reported food and housing insecurity. He stated he was living at a bathhouse and had multiple male sexual partners in the past month. He smokes cigarettes and endorses occasional alcohol and drug use. He stated that he has no source of income or cell phone, and reported being estranged from many family and friends…
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