Research investigate how the current practice of nephrology may have bigoted philosophies

Overview

• Post By : Kumar Jeetendra


• Source: Boston University School of Medicine


• Date: 31 Jan,2021

There is a growing awareness of systematic inequality and structural racism in American society. Science and medicine are no exception, as evidenced by historical cases of discrimination and overt racism.

In a perspective piece in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM), take an honest look at how the current practice of nephrology (kidney medication ) may have elements rooted in racist ideologies.

For twenty years, kidney function has been estimated based on lab trials and tests that consider black vs. non-black race. The researchers contemplate what other facets of clinical practice and study might have subtle racist undertones.

Despite the fact that race is now understood as a social as opposed to biological construct, many instances in nephrology implicitly assume a biological basis for race. Examples include the use of race in estimating the risk for kidney stones in black individuals, for assessing the suitability of kidneys from black individuals for transplantation, and in studies of kidney function and physiology.

The practice and teaching of nephrology in graduate and medical school today continues to perpetuate an ideology that is non-scientific, misleading to students and trainees and ultimately, corrosive to society.”

Sushrut S. Waikar, MD, Study Corresponding Author and Norman Levinsky, Professor, Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine

According to Waikar, reporting kidney function separately for”black” and”white” patients is setting the stage for people to take a biological basis for race. “Kidney function tests are among the most frequently reported tests by laboratories around the world. Tens of thousands of laboratory reports daily make a distinction between”black” and”white” kidney function. This may influence the way we think about race, leading to subtle and pervasive racism in everyday clinical medicine,” he adds.

Waikar and Insa Schmidt, MD, MPH, nephrologists in Boston Medical Center, stress that doctors and scientists have a moral obligation to take a critical look at historic practices that may be rooted in racist ideology, and re-think the appropriate use of race in medicine. “We believe we have an obligation as physicians and researchers to be advocates for social justice and anti-racism. We also have to be honest and call our own clinics when they fall short of this ideal.”