A physician notices potential bias affecting care of a patient due to race. What concept addresses this concern?

• A. Cultural competence and anti-discrimination; providing equitable care.
• B. Informed consent in telemedicine.
• C. Confidentiality in telemedicine.
• D. Beneficence and nonmaleficence.

Answer: (A)

Addressing potential bias in patient care due to race hinges on cultural competence and anti-discrimination to provide equitable care. Cultural competence means understanding and respecting patients’ diverse backgrounds, beliefs, language needs, and social contexts, and adapting communication and treatment plans accordingly. Anti-discrimination involves recognizing and actively countering stereotypes or practices that lead to unequal treatment. Together, these approaches ensure that race does not determine the quality of care, access, or outcomes, and they align care with fairness and respect for all patients.

Informed consent in telemedicine focuses on patient autonomy during virtual visits; confidentiality in telemedicine centers on protecting privacy of information. Beneficence and nonmaleficence cover doing good and avoiding harm in general, but they don’t specifically address addressing race-based bias or ensuring equitable treatment.