Community and Physician, vol.39, no.3, pp.187-193, 2024 (Scopus)
The services provided by physicians to their patients manifest through a process of reciprocal interaction. This interaction can sometimes be inherently therapeutic, while at other times it becomes a crucial component of adherence to treatment. Although many physicians believe they do not discriminate against their patients, mutual prejudices can exist within any social interaction, including the patient-physician relationship. As members of society, physicians are not exempt from the evolving concept of racism. Today, racism has more insidious and covert manifestations, extending beyond traditional biological racial distinctions to encompass a broader range of minority groups. The term “microaggressions” was developed to describe these manifestations of modern racism in daily interactions. These microaggressions can be evident in the patient-physician relationship, sometimes overtly and sometimes covertly. Certain fundamental characteristics of the patient-physician relationship, which distinguish it from other social interactions, can facilitate the formation of these subtle behaviors. Recognizing and preventing microaggressions through proper education for physicians is of paramount importance for providing more just and equitable healthcare services.