The Invisible Culture of Discrimination: Call it ‘institutional racism or unconscious bias, it has devastating impact on the victims

Abstract

A recent ITV news item featured Radhakrishna Shanbag, a senior surgeon with over 20 years of service in the NHS, being asked, ‘Please can I have a white doctor for my operation?’, by one his patient’s ¹ . Any form of racism is both painful and upsetting, however to a dedicated professional it throws a much greater challenge. To remain professional, composed and objective in the face of adversity, is ingrained in medical training. One is also expected to provide the very best of care ‘free from all bias’ at all times to all comers. As in this case, professionals have no choice but to swallow the insults and provide alternatives to get the best possible outcome, suppressing the impact on self-worth and devastating emotional trauma.