On June 10, 2016, I was notified by Workmen’s Compensation/Bookkeeper that Dr. Barrall’s secretary Valerie had contacted the office regarding my upcoming appointment scheduled for Monday, June 13th. The secretary stated that in order for me to be seen by Dr. Barrall, his office required my previous records faxed over. Otherwise, Dr. Barrall would not be able to see me until he returned from his hiatus from Germany which was approximately three weeks. In addition, Valerie proceeded to state that she did not want to contact me, because based on my last name, I may or may not speak English. It is evident that Dr. Barrall’s office is in the practice of patient profiling.
I immediately called Dr. Barrall’s office and Valerie answered the phone. In my efforts to express to her how profiling disproportionately impacts patients, she immediately back peddled and became combative. While my last name is of Portuguese descent [Domingues], I am also of Hispanic origin. Discrimination and racism continue to be a part of the fabric and tradition of American society and have adversely affected minority populations, the health care system in general. Discrimination may be based on differences due to age, ability, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic by which people differ. Efforts to address racial and ethnic disparities in health will require physicians such as Dr. Barrall and his staff to develop new approaches, in consultation with experts in minority communities, to ensure that research, treatment, and education programs affect ALL individuals regardless of race disproportionately, are available in local communities and nationwide.
Human beings deserve respect as ends in themselves, and therefore, deserve health care services that are equitable in terms of accessibility, availability, affordability and quality. Justice requires that the differences among persons and groups are to be valued. When those differences contribute to the unequal distribution of the quality how can a patient like myself trust, that doctor’s as Dr. Barrall and their staff will safeguard our health and give proper medical care.
Due to the lack of sensitivity and disconnect as well as discontent that Dr. Barrall’s staff has for minorities, I cancelled my appointment.