To better understand what trust and distrust in physicians mean to African Americans.
A host of factors underlie the maternal and child health gap between white women and their brown and black peers. We do know that studies have consistently pointed to an ugly one: the persistence of racial bias. Tennis star Serena Williams underscored the dangers facing pregnant black women and tried to enlighten the world by sharing her labor and delivery experience. Singer Beyoncé echoed her concerns in multiple interviews and articles within the recent past.
This stop on our walk in the patient’s shoes or their families experience when interacting with the healthcare system has been a challenge. Contributing factors that were noted in our study by the women include distrust in the healthcare team (e.g., micro-aggressions such as pointed out by a patient as “getting the stink eye”), negative experiences in the past where a lack of, or a lack of appropriate interpersonal connectivity occurred and the expectations due to past experiences of racism during routine provision of health care.
The research points to the fact that trust appears to facilitate patient connectivity with the healthcare team, leading to an improved relationship, leading to enhanced patient honesty and adherence. Distrust obstructs the care relationship and can result in a multitude of responses, but the biggest ones noted in our study included fear and humiliation.