"The thumb is responsible for 40 percent of the function of the hand "

At first I was thinking 'Gross, I'd rather just not have a thumb' but that's a huge percentage.

"Black patients were consistently less likely than whites to receive the recommended types of treatment"

Maybe it's just me but, have any of you ever gone to see a doctor and it seems as if they sort of don't give a fu*k and are quick to get you out of the door? It seems as though they're half-ass listening to you and don't really care what's wrong with you.

Damn. MBTA again? Generally, after several mistreated and litigious employees get money, you sort things out if only to cover your own a–.

And yes, Boston and racism are still very close friends.

http://gorgeousblackwomen.blogspot.com/

Ooops, wrong tab.

JB, yes but I think that's the case for many physicians. The doctor who said my pneumonia was a bad cold was a darker Latino. You can't guarantee your doctor will really care much unless you go armed with WRITTEN questions and information listed in order of priority. I don't know anyone who comes from a medical family who gets that poor treatment because they aren't just going to nod their head in confusion while you try to push them out the door. I'm still appalled by the fact that one of my relatives got their wisdom teeth removed which many others decided was entirely unnecessary, painful and costly. That is the biggest crock ever. If your wisdom teeth come out straight, have no cavities and won't shift your otherwise nice teeth, there is zero reason to remove them other than to line an oral surgeon's pockets.

http://gorgeousblackwomen.blogspot.com/

JB - Yes, I've had doctors do that to me. When I moved to SF I went to a doctor and the first thing outta his mouth was, "do you have diabetes?"

I've never been asked that, and besides if I had it…it would be own my medical history paperwork (that he reviewed).

I guess black automatically equals diabetes now.

That toe looks like a regular thumb, a regular thumb with elephantitis, but still…a thumb.

Blacks need to accept that the system automatically has a built-in bias against them, and as such need to do careful independent research on their condition, and not just blindly trust the doctors.

Usually when I get a diagnosis, I research it and when I return to the doctor's office I have suggestions about my course of treatment and drugs used, this is not only empowering to me but it puts the doctor on notice that he needs to be careful with this one.
Also, keep careful records/spreadsheets of treatments and reactions to medication, and present it to the doctor on each visit.
You would be surprised how much attention and care you get.