Abstract
ABSTRACT
Purpose. The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the experiences of African Americans who sought treatment for COVID-19. This study highlighted the relationships and treatment between healthcare providers and African Americans.
Methodology. This qualitative study used a narrative research design. A total of 10 interviewees were selected based on a set criterion developed by the researcher. Selected participants were evaluated for COVID-19 by a certified healthcare organization. The participants who were diagnosed with COVID-19 received a treatment option. Data collection followed the steps outlined by Creswell and Guetterman (2019). The guidelines established by Shenton (2004) were followed to ensure credibility.
Finding. (a) The lack of patient and provider relationships: Participants expressed that earlier generations had personal relationships with their providers and now feel that practice is lost in today’s healthcare system. (b) Biases in treatment options based on race: Participants expressed that their skin color was factored into the type of treatment offered by medical personnel. (c) Trustworthiness of the healthcare system: Participants perceived that the trustworthiness of healthcare is one of the most important factors to provide equity in medical care for African Americans.
Conclusions. The findings of this study suggested that there are still significant challenges that African Americans face with equality in care and trustworthiness in the healthcare system. Many of the participants cited a generational shift in how the healthcare system is practiced in terms of patient-provider relationships.
Recommendations. Further research could be done to explore the idea of implicit bias training in terms of healthcare workplace culture and leadership solutions. Also, further exploration is needed on how historical trauma is passed down through the generations of African Americans. It is also recommended to explore how levels of service are affected in different types of healthcare organizations (i.e., medical, vision, and dentistry) that serve marginalized groups of people when impact bias is factored in during care.