AJN (American Journal of Nursing) has recently posted an article discussing whether a patient has the right to choose their healthcare provider based on race. After reading the title, my mind went to an issue that I’ve seen at the hospital several times. Our elderly white population have often made comments about some of our non-native English speaking physicians. Patient have expressed that they cannot understand what the physicians are saying and would like to have a different physician (in most cases, patients are able to obtain the desired information from another physician that same day and it does not become a lasting issue).
The posted article discusses a case in a nursing home where a patient did not want any black healthcare workers to enter her room. The nursing home complied with this wish and was sued by a black CNA who was upset that the facility complied with the patient’s request.
This is such a difficult topic as we have all seen certain patients/families have clashing personalities with staff members and the hospital cease to assign these staff members to this patient’s care. But, in that case, the staff member does not generally feel discriminated against as it is most likely a mutual feeling of not wanting to be placed together for another 12 hour shift. If the patient/family member is uncomfortable with the staff member caring for them, at what point can we decide that it’s okay to agree with their wishes. A male nurse in an L&D unit? A nurse with a thick accent taking care of an elderly patient with hearing loss? Where is that line drawn?
