Experiences of Patient Bigotry Among Doctor of Audiology Graduate Clinicians: A Review and Recommendations.

Purpose: Students in audiology clinical doctorate programs in the United States are required to participate in direct patient care under the supervision of a licensed precepting audiologist during their schooling. Audiology student clinicians commonly rotate through a variety of clinical settings with their own organizational structure, policies, and precepting clinicians. Systemic prejudice and stigma cause many of these student clinicians to experience bigotry from the patients they work with.

Method: This review discusses the populations of audiology students at highest risk of patient bigotry and discusses the intersectionality of students with several historically marginalized identities.

Results: Little scholarship exists in the field of audiology on the bigotry that graduate student clinicians experience. The effects of bigotry are reviewed, and practical guidance on preparing for and responding to bigotry from patients is provided.

Conclusions: As health care workers, these students are essential workers contributing to the health and health care of the population, making their well-being a critical public health concern. Bigotry from others has been shown to contribute to mental illness, burnout, and poorer physical health among the people experiencing it.