Think back to an encounter you have had with a patient or healthcare provider. Describe how bias could have affected your interaction. How can you reduce the effects of bias in the future? must address all aspects of the Discussion Question and contain at least two citations with corresponding references
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Understanding and Addressing Bias in Healthcare Interactions
Introduction
Interactions between patients and healthcare providers are crucial moments that can profoundly impact the quality of care delivered. One significant factor that can influence these interactions is bias. Bias, whether conscious or unconscious, can manifest in various forms and affect communication, decision-making, and patient outcomes. Reflecting on a past encounter with a patient or healthcare provider, this paper explores how bias could have influenced the interaction and discusses strategies to reduce its effects in future interactions.
Understanding Bias in Healthcare Interactions
Bias in healthcare interactions can stem from various sources, including stereotypes, prejudices, and personal beliefs. These biases can manifest based on factors such as race, gender, age, socioeconomic status, or health conditions. In a healthcare setting, biases can impact the way information is shared, treatment options are considered, and overall care is delivered.
Impact of Bias on Interactions
In my past encounter with a patient, I recall a situation where implicit bias may have affected my perception of the individual’s symptoms. Due to preconceived notions about certain health conditions prevalent in specific demographics, there was a risk of overlooking alternative diagnoses or dismissing the patient’s concerns. This bias could have influenced the communication style, treatment recommendations, and overall quality of care provided.
Strategies to Reduce Bias
1. Cultural Competence Training: Engaging in cultural competence training can help healthcare providers become more aware of their biases and develop skills to navigate diverse patient populations sensitively.
2. Self-Reflection: Regular self-reflection on personal biases and prejudices is essential for healthcare professionals to recognize and address implicit biases that may impact patient interactions.
3. Patient-Centered Care: Adopting a patient-centered approach that prioritizes individual preferences, values, and experiences can help mitigate the effects of bias by focusing on personalized care.
4. Diverse Healthcare Teams: Building diverse healthcare teams that reflect the communities they serve can help reduce bias by fostering inclusivity and understanding of different perspectives.
5. Evidence-Based Practice: Relying on evidence-based practice guidelines and clinical decision-making tools can help standardize care delivery and minimize the influence of bias on treatment decisions.
Conclusion
Bias in healthcare interactions is a pervasive issue that can hinder effective communication, diagnosis, and treatment. By acknowledging the presence of bias, understanding its impact on interactions, and proactively implementing strategies to reduce its effects, healthcare providers can deliver more equitable and patient-centered care. Cultivating a culture of awareness, inclusivity, and evidence-based practice is essential in promoting positive healthcare interactions and improving outcomes for all patients.
References
1. Burgess DJ, Warren J, Phelan S, Dovidio J, Van Ryn M. Stereotype threat and health disparities: what medical educators and future physicians need to know. Journal of General Internal Medicine. 2010 Oct;25(2):169-77.
2. van Ryn M, Burke J. The effect of patient race and socio-economic status on physicians’ perceptions of patients. Social Science & Medicine. 2000 Jul 1;50(6):813-28.
In conclusion, addressing bias in healthcare interactions requires a multifaceted approach that involves self-awareness, education, and systemic changes within healthcare systems. By committing to ongoing learning, reflection, and the promotion of equitable care practices, healthcare providers can strive to reduce the impact of bias on patient interactions and promote better health outcomes for all individuals.
