The Negative Impact of Microaggressions and How to Overcome Them (3 of 3)

These findings were also prevalent in studies involving patients and the relationship with their therapists. One study conducted in 2014 found that more than half of patients who attended therapy sessions were subject to microaggressions from their therapist. When they experienced this, their levels of trust and satisfaction were extremely low. Many would discontinue their sessions even when they were in serious need of therapy. This is particularly unfortunate because the framework of medicine — especially when it deals with mental health — should be based on impartiality and objectivity. And yet the important decisions that therapists make are influenced by their racial biases.

So what is the solution? Recruiting healthcare professionals who themselves come from marginalized groups could be of great help. If the doctor or nurse were an ethnic minority or member of the LGBT community, not only would they be less inclined to hold biases, their patients would be more likely to be comfortable about receiving much-needed medical help. In addition, healthcare workers who are exposed to colleagues from various backgrounds might change their attitudes towards marginalized groups for the better.