We know that disparities exist in healthcare, including in breast cancer outcomes and in general care before someone is diagnosed. Evidence suggests that structural racism, including how doctors talk to their patients and what they talk to them about, may be at the heart of some of these disparities.

A study led by Dr. Jennifer Griggs found that coaching patients to talk to their doctors about their concerns about their care and advocate for themselves can offset doctors’ implicit biases and lead to better care for Black patients.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Griggs explain:

how an activated patient behaves

how doctors’ implicit biases can affect patient care

steps you can take if you want to be a more activated patient