The Standard in Culturally Diverse Care

As a black female physician I am keenly aware that health disparities exists, which are different when it comes to health outcomes across all races. What is evermore important is the eradication of health inequity, which is a systemic disease plaguing our society. Seeing yourself in the person that is tasked to take care of you or your loved one is one step forward in correcting this inequity. This is why I love TINTED and what they represent. Looking forward to adding all my colleagues to this platform.

As children, we learn the value of building trust. As we build those connections, the first trusting relationships we build are with our parents. These are people who raise us, and have a common bond.  A similar concept applies to medicine. Trusting a stranger with your health is difficult, even more so if you feel they don’t understand you. I have witnessed miscarriages’ of trust in medicine and the only difference was their cultural background. The perfect doctor doesn’t exist, but as patients, you have the right to find a doctor that is perfect for you.”

“Imagine being a patient waking up in the worst pain ever and being told that all is well and your symptoms are not symptoms at all”.  Then imaging the relief of getting a second opinion and hearing “I know what’s wrong with you, I see this in a lot of my patients”. As doctors we all learn the same information but our life experiences are different and at times that can make all the difference.” Tinted is part of making that difference.

Having access to providers that are able to provide culturally competent care should be normalized among minorities. We’ve all had distressing moments when clinicians haven’t quite been able to relate to our distinct needs and we may have left feeling unsettled or as though our needs were unmet. It is exciting to have a platform that is making it easy for minority patients to feel empowered with their care, and to have options to see providers within their communities that can relate on a personal level to daily activities.

It is well known that race plays an important role in patient outcomes. So it’s important for our black communities to see Providers that look like them and can relate to them. Racism in medicine has a long standing history which still exists today. As a result, people of color have lost their faith in the system and healthcare providers. With the ongoing alarming increase of health disparities within the Black Communities, African American representation matters and is vital to alleviate some of these pressing issues especially for pregnant moms to be.

A platform like Tinted Health is necessary in today’s world. As a black health care provider I’ve witnessed many patients who harbor mistrust and fear towards healthcare because of unfortunate outcomes that statistically are outweighed in black and brown communities i.e. adverse events in the black maternal/infant population.

On the opposing end many black and brown migrants from other countries value and eagerly embrace the healthcare guidance from providers who although may be well intended, don’t look like them and who will never fully understand their experiences and needs.

I believe it is necessary for US to have access to providers that look like US. Who understand that healthcare isn’t a one size fits all. Tinted health makes it convenient for patients to find providers and allows a level of comfort while navigating the world of healthcare. Its refreshing to be able to access a database of providers who look like me.