Damon Tweedy
Auteur van Black Man in a White Coat: A Doctor's Reflections on Race and Medicine
Over de Auteur
Werken van Damon Tweedy
White Man in a Black Coat (Flexner lecture) 1 exemplaar
Tagged
Algemene kennis
- Geboortedatum
- 20th Century
- Geslacht
- male
- Nationaliteit
- USA
Leden
Besprekingen
Lijsten
Prijzen
Misschien vindt je deze ook leuk
Statistieken
- Werken
- 2
- Leden
- 287
- Populariteit
- #81,379
- Waardering
- 3.9
- Besprekingen
- 17
- ISBNs
- 5
Memoir about Damon Tweedy’s journey in medicine, from his college enrollment through internship and selection of a field of specialization. This book combines a personal story of navigating medical school with accounts of (mostly) black people facing significant health issues. He recounts stories of his memorable patients, the impact of race on their treatment, and racial biases he encountered personally. He also challenges his own perceptions of race and engages in self-reflection.
Many of the difficulties in the medical field have to do with the socioeconomic background of the patients and the US healthcare system. Tweedy cites many statistics (with sources and notes cited in the appendix) to highlight some of the primary areas of concern, such as:
“As with so many societal problems, blacks as a group suffer to the largest extent, being nearly twice as likely as white Americans to live without health insurance. And while obtaining health insurance alone does not fix the health problems of the poor, it makes a real difference. A 2007 study found that previously uninsured adults, in particular those with cardiovascular disease or diabetes, reported improved health over a seven-year follow-up period after obtaining Medicare coverage at age sixty-five.”
Aside from informative statistics, he makes a strong case for lifestyle choices as a primary factor in longevity. He points out the need for more black doctors, and the importance of making a human connection with the patient, regardless of racial background: “A big part of the solution is discarding your assumptions and connecting with each patient as a person. Race, while certainly a powerful influence, by itself doesn’t guarantee a human connection any more than any other factor.”
While it is impossible for one individual to solve racial prejudice and the US healthcare woes, he points out areas where awareness can make a difference. I feel books like this are valuable in helping view the world through the lens of another person’s experience. It is written in a manner easily understood by a person without a medical background. I found it enlightening and worthwhile.
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