Introduction
The article “Racial microaggressions in Everyday Life: implications for clinical practice” by Sue et al. (2007) raises the critical issue of forms of microaggression based on race in clinical practice. Researchers state that conscious or unconscious discrimination by clinicians creates significant barriers to necessary treatment for patients of color (Sue et al., 2007).
In their practice, healthcare providers should strive to establish strong relationships and effective communication with clients (Sue et al., 2007). These factors are necessary to engage patients in the treatment process and achieve desired treatment outcomes. However, white therapists often engage in microaggressions toward people of color, which negatively impacts treatment effectiveness (Sue et al., 2007). As a result, these patients do not receive the care they need, which increases the problem of social inequality in health care.
Microaggression in Healthcare Providers
Microaggressions in clinical practice can manifest in different forms. This includes microassault, microinsult, and microinvalidation, which can be either conscious or unconscious (Sue et al., 2007). Most often, therapists do not take into account the unique experiences of people of color, which may influence their condition. Researchers cite color blindness, criminalization, disregard for cultural values, and assumptions that patients are foreigners as examples of such practices (Sue et al., 2007). These forms of racial prejudice are less noticeable because they do not involve targeted offenses. However, eliminating them is critical to guaranteeing equal access to healthcare for all patients.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the article highlights the importance of the problem of racial prejudice in clinical practice. It demonstrates how clinicians can unknowingly violate the rights of people of color. The issue of microaggressions is often overlooked due to its complex nature. However, such forms of discrimination negatively impact patients’ emotional and mental health and treatment outcomes. Moreover, this creates a negative experience for them, which affects their desire to continue using health services. Therefore, specific education and training for healthcare providers is needed to eliminate disparities in clinical practice.
Reference
Sue, D. W., Capodilupo, C. M., Torino, G. C., Bucceri, J. M., Holder, A. M., Nadal, K. L., & Esquilin, M. (2007). Racial microaggressions in everyday life: implications for clinical practice. The American Psychologist, 62(4), 271–286. Web.