Working in any environment where there are many cultures present can have its advantages and disadvantages. In many situations, it is seen as a good thing to have many cultures represented in your company. It shows that your company values diversity and change. It also conveys the message that no one in this country should be stopped or not tolerated with just because of their religion or ethnic background.
A situation did however occur in the hospital. As you know, a hospital is an environment which homes many different backgrounds but all of the people there, whether they are from America or India have one thing in common: medicine. Their goal, as with any person in the healthcare profession is to help people and to make them better. A patient came to the hospital to schedule an appointment to get a check up done and as they were being scheduled for their date and time, they began to ask who their doctor was and how qualified this doctor was. As the receptionist was transporting the credentials of the doctor to the patient; the patient then asked, “Is this doctor Middle Eastern? , because if so then I do not want to be seen from someone that has come from that country”. The receptionist did mention that he was the best doctor they had and cared a lot for his patients, but this patient would not think otherwise and decided that either he wanted a white doctor or he would leave to another practice. Lucky for him, this practice did inhibit two other doctors who were from the white race, so he went to that doctor and both parties were fine.
I found this to be rude because what difference would it have made where this doctor was from? He has no intent to hurt you; he wants to help you, as he does with all of his patients. I think the base of it all is that it shouldn’t matter where one is from, but how you contribute to society. I’m very confident that this Middle Eastern doctor could have done just as good or an even better job as his white colleague. What also comes into play is how the media may have twisted this patient’s judgment on what sort of person the Middle Eastern doctor may be. Since these days, the media seems to be very influential on every race in this society. I found this to be an ineffective way of communication and thought; and the only way to change that is for that person to change themselves to better understand the other cultures that are trying to live in harmony with everyone else’s culture.
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6 comments:
I think if the patient would have said “you know I have had a bad experience ..., I would rather ...”, then maybe that would have been ok. We all have preferences but be reasonable about what you're asking for.
I do agree with you that it was rude for the patient to come out and say "I do not want to be seen from someone that has come from that country". With all that has happened over the last few years I agree with you when you said the media played a major part in him not wanting a Middle Eastern assist him. I believe when you are that judgmental you only make yourself look foolish.
Bigotry is based in ignorance and fear. What you have described happens not only to Indian doctors ... most ethnic groups, genders, etc., are confronted by this every day. I agree that the media is doing a disservice by playing on people's biases. Hopefully, enough people that know better can eventually educate the others. In the meantime, Kalisa is right, the bigoted person merely looks foolish (and uneducated, I'll add).
We are all guilty of lumping people into stereotypical roles. Because of the recently events since 9-11 there has been more hate in this country because of it. Even during WWII America rounded up Japanese Americans into concentration camps, here in the US!
When we can't get immediate resolution, or are helpless to "get back" at the actual people that create issues with us we transfer that hate onto anyone that looks like them. Works the same way with food, funnily enough, if you think about it. I hate Indian food, but maybe that's only because I ate at an Indian restaurant that's quality was poor.
These people will just have to learn, or maybe they never will. Either way the first place to make the change is with ourselves and keep broadening our perspectives.
It's not fair to label a person with their country of origin. This patient should change his/her perspective on this issue and educate themselves about diversity different cultures.
As Kalisa said, they could have handle the situation better without being rude.
Okay, this might be a long comment. People are so ignorant and it is really damaging overall. I do agree with Kalisa, we all have preferences but as long as we are reasonable about things we request, there should be no problem. But the patient you described sounded to be far from reasonable.
I had surgery on my wrist by a "white" doctor (he was the only hand/wrist specialist). The surgery went horrible, I woke up in the middle, they gave me too much anesthesia, and after the surgery was over the doctor left the hospital. No one even spoke to my family while I was in recovery. I had to go through weeks of painful rehab. After I was healed, numerous cysts returned and they were even more painful than before. I now see a new, wonderful doctor who I praise. And what do ya know, he just happens to be from the Middle East. I actually recommended him to a friend who was going through the same thing, and she too has had absolutely positive things about him.
It's a shame people are like this, and we can't change who they are. And yes, the media definitely doesn't help the situation. Maybe some communication, education, and life experiences can help people like this understand that demographics, race, nationality, and age should make no difference.
I agree with Kalisa. It is one thing to express concern because of a previous experience because people do make these types of connections in their minds. That's normal. What's NOT okay is to flat out say "I don't want to be seen by a Middle Eastern". To me, that's absolutely absurd and flat out ignorant. For all that patient knows, this white doctor that he chose to see could have been one "strike" away from losing his license to practice medicine. So what if the patient ends up on his deathbed because of the white doctor? This problem is 60% media and 40% ignorance.
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