Impacts of Stigma and Bias on Therapeutic Relationships

Running Head: IMPACTS OF STIGMA AND BIAS ON THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIPS 1
Impacts of Stigma and Bias on Therapeutic Relationships
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IMPACTS OF STIGMA AND BIAS ON THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIPS 2
Impacts of Stigma and Bias on Therapeutic Relationships
Stigmatization can be defined as the negative process of labeling individuals who possess
or demonstrate personal or behavioral attributes that are contrary society’s set standards
(Ditchman, Werner, Kosyluk, Jones, Elg & Corrigan, 2013). Stigmatization may make affected
people to be abandoned or avoided by others, feel ashamed or embarrassed. (Brems, Johnson,
Warner & Weiss Roberts, 2010)Bias in healthcare facilities is prevalent as there are patients
suffering from diseases that are perceived as a stigma in the society such as HIV/AIDS, mental
related illness among other diseases. It is therefore very important for medical practitioners to
work towards creating a therapeutic relationship that acknowledges client’s uniqueness and
creating a conducive environment where clients can openly discuss issues pertaining to their
health conditions without fear of being judged unfairly.
Stigmatization manifests itself at various levels in healthcare set up; among these are
structural level (organization’s culture, quality of care standards), interpersonal level (patient-
healthcare provider interactions, negative attitude), and intra-individual level (patient’s
unwillingness to seek medical attention, provider’s reluctance to seek medical attention).
Factors contributing to stigmatization in healthcare set up
Lack of awareness is one of the factors that contribute to stigmatization in healthcare
facilities. I have come to realize that many are the times that I have discriminated against patients
due to ignorance. I have been working on dealing with my patients professionally making a
voluntary effort to overlook social factors that may affect my relationship with my clients
negatively.