Abstract

Many studies indicate that medical professionals are biased toward patients based on patient characteristics, such as racial identity, gender identity, and physical or other abilities (e.g., Iezzoni et al., 2021). However, no studies examine if healthcare providers demonstrate systematically different diagnostic approaches based on mental health presentation. In this study, I recruited healthcare professionals to provide their diagnostic impressions and treatment recommendations for either a patient with congestive heart failure or a patient with congestive heart failure and depression symptoms. The findings suggest that medical professionals responded differentially to the same CHF presentation when presented in isolation versus comorbid symptoms of depression. However, the patterns did not always align with presenting symptoms. This study highlights how detrimental biases can be to healthcare.

Advisor

Karazsia, Bryan

Department

Psychology

Disciplines

Cardiovascular Diseases | Mental and Social Health

Keywords

Congestive Heart Failure, Depression, Diagnosis

Publication Date

2023

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2023 Katie Schumacher