A few weeks ago, I started asking my BIPOC patients and parents if they've been affected by racism, or if there were racism-related health problems I need to be providing care for. It's not something I was ever trained to do, and I regret it took me this long to start.
I start by acknowledging that the question might feel awkward, but that I'd rather ask an important question awkwardly than not at all. Similarly to when I started asking about gender identity as a matter of routine, the more I ask the less awkward it feels.
Every single time thus far, my BIPOC patients have been surprised that I've asked, because nobody has ever asked before, but told me how glad they are that I did. Again, I deeply regret it has taken me this long.
If you are a medical provider and haven't started asking about the effects of racism on the health of your racially minoritized patients, I'd encourage you to consider it. It's a seriously neglected part of medical education, and the care we deliver as a result.
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