Racial And Ethnic Discrimination During Clinical Education and Its Impact on the Well-Being of Nurse Anesthesia Students.

Abstract

The effects of racial/ethnic discrimination in the clinical setting have been shown to cause psychological distress in populations of healthcare workers. However, there are currently no published studies that investigate racial/ethnic transgressions in the clinical arena and their impact on the well-being of student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs). The current study aimed to investigate 1) the prevalence and nature of racial/ethnic bias during clinical education and 2) its impact on wellness in a cohort of SRNAs. Data were collected using a three-part 16-item electronic questionnaire distributed to a national sample of SRNAs. A significant association was found between race/ethnicity and an increased incidence of discrimination (χ₂ [5] = 24.1, P < .001). SRNAs who described experiencing at least one discrimination encounter during their training had significantly higher mean Well-Being Index scores-associated with more distress-compared with those students who had never experienced discrimination (P < .05). Participant responses were categorized into five major themes: overt discrimination, covert discrimination, disparate treatment, barriers to reporting, and incivility/bullying. Addressing the distinctive challenges related to race/ethnicity in clinical sites is paramount to ensuring the success of minority SRNAs.