Social Inequality In Health Care

My first interaction with a patient was when I volunteered at Med Globe clinic, a general practice in Atlanta known for its population of lower socioeconomic patients. I walked in and saw old equipment, no electronic records, one doctor, and a few nurses—but a large number of people in need of care. The first patient I met was a 6-year-old girl who was a Spanish-speaking native. Smiling down at her curious face, I tried to see myself through her eyes. Did I seem friendly? Did she trust me? Her subsequent smile told me that she felt comfortable. Not surprisingly, within a matter of seconds, a prick of her plump little finger caused her smile to transform into a fit of cries. As I interacted with more patients, I started to pick up on small, non-verbal cues, adjusting my approach to establish rapport and make them comfortable. In …show more content…
This course taught me about the link between society and healthcare and how social inequality can translate into disparate care for those at the top and bottom of the socioeconomic ladder. I soon read and learned about food deserts and unhealthy culture, just a few issues that play a central role in the treatment of disadvantaged groups experiencing health problems. I recognized that these topics take part in the care of underrepresented patients and significantly predispose them to chronic illnesses. Learning about the essence of sociology in medicine instilled a desire in me to become involved in integrating preventative measures into the treatment plan of my future patients. This realization has confirmed my interest to pursue a career in medicine where I can not only deliver equal care to patients of different socioeconomic backgrounds, but also educate them about preventative medicine in hopes of eliminating healthcare