Healthcare organizations are complex hierarchies that create barriers for people who may be disadvantaged by various social factors such as age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, language, and physical ability. These hierarchies can result in a lack of access to quality health care, which can cause moral exclusion and psychological harm. This article will examine how these hierarchies work, what they do, and how they affect marginalized populations.
The hierarchy within healthcare systems is often structured around power dynamics. The top of the hierarchy consists of decision-makers, including physicians, administrators, and board members. They make decisions about policies, procedures, and budgets. Lower levels include staff members, such as nurses, technologists, and support personnel. At the bottom are patients. In this structure, those at the top hold more authority and control than those lower down the ladder.
This hierarchy can lead to unequal treatment between marginalized groups and others.
If an individual does not speak English or understand it well, they may have difficulty communicating with medical professionals. If they cannot communicate effectively, their needs may go unaddressed. Marginalized populations also face prejudice and stereotypes from healthcare providers, making them feel unwelcome. These attitudes can create a feeling of moral exclusion, leading to emotional distress.
Marginalized individuals may experience more physical pain because healthcare providers don't fully understand their culture or background. As a result, their symptoms may be misdiagnosed or ignored altogether. The resulting mental anguish may contribute to depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
Some people may feel stigmatized for seeking help due to negative beliefs about certain conditions.
This article examines how hierarchy in healthcare systems perpetuates moral exclusion and psychological harm to marginalized populations by denying access, causing poor communication, and creating unfair expectations.
How do hierarchical structures within healthcare systems perpetuate moral exclusion and psychological harm to marginalized populations?
The hierarchical structure of healthcare systems has been shown to create an environment where certain groups are disproportionately affected by the lack of accessibility and quality of care due to their social status or background. This creates a situation where these individuals may feel alienated from society and experience mental health issues such as anxiety or depression that can be worsened by feelings of powerlessness and isolation.