Graduation Date
5-2017
Document Type
Senior Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Psychology
Department or Program Chair
William Phillips, PhD
First Reader
Margaret Benedict-Montgomery, PhD
Abstract
Previous studies have found that healthcare providers are affected by unconscious racial bias, reducing the quality of care and outcomes for African American patients (Yearby, 2010). This undergraduate study hypothesized when healthcare providers show more empathy, they provide higher quality care to their patients. Since African Americans face more discrimination on average, their chances for quality care is lower. Results reveal a positive correlation between empathy from healthcare providers and care administered to patients; furthermore, they reveal no significance found in discrimination of African American patients compared to other races. The study consisted of 93% female participants, which affects the data. Future research could include a sample size with more diversity of race and gender perspective on this subject.