Racism in Psychiatry – Its Impact on Clinical Knowledge, Research, Career Development, and Communities

This workshop was conceptualized by the ACLP Global and Cultural SIG to examine the impact of racism on 1) clinical care, 2) medical research, 3) healthcare careers, and 4) communities, particularly with respect to psychiatry. These issues will alter how CL psychiatrists perform their work, educate trainees, and integrate into their communities.



Dr. Aileen Park will introduce the concept of medical racism, which includes racism in our society that affects the health of people of color, disparity in health coverage by race, and biases held by healthcare workers against patients of color. These health imbalances can be considered structural violence because society “puts individuals and populations in harm's way.” For example, higher mortality rates from COVID-19 are seen in people of color, due to conditions that make COVID-19 infection more dangerous.



Dr. Alric Hawkins will look at the role that race plays in regards to psychiatric referral and patient evaluation (from the clinical encounter to our diagnosis and treatment plan) and how these potentially impact care and contribute to the disparities that we see in traditionally marginalized communities He will tackle the future implications of "Big Data" on clinical care and its potential to further exacerbate healthcare disparities in spite of its promise of objectivity.



While it is commonly believed that mistrust of healthcare is the main factor in minority underrepresentation in medical research, the literature reveals that research design and accessibility play major roles. Dr. Jose Arriola Vigo will discuss hallmark studies that are often cited as the roots of minority groups’ suspicion towards the medical establishment. He will provide examples of how unethical research on minority groups has been rationalized. Furthermore, Dr. Arriola Vigo will discuss how racism, exploitation, abuse and marginalization in research among minority communities continue to impact mental health research.



Racism is a system that disadvantages students and doctors of color. Dr. Stephen Nicolson will discuss the ways in which that system effects medical school admissions, physician specialty choice, and career path. He will highlight some of the reciprocal advantages to which white physicians may be oblivious.



Dr. Sanjay Yadav will highlight structural disparities that exist at the community health level and explore strategies to reduce health inequities through the lens of a CL Psychiatrist. A multi-level and multifaceted approach is important to understand the range of factors and processes that influence the adverse health consequences of marginalized populations. Equipping the workforce with equitable tools and opportunities, supporting a structurally competent work structure, educating patients on mental health literacy, engaging community based organization with mental health awareness programs, expanding integrated care services, and increasing patient access to community mental health resources are some of the individual and system level strategies that will be discussed.