Bennett, S., Newman-Griffis, D.R. orcid.org/0000-0002-0473-4226, Beach, M.C. et al. (1 more author) (2022) Digital scarlet letters: sexually transmitted infections in the electronic medical record. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 49 (6). e70-e74. ISSN 0148-5717
Abstract
The harms of implicit bias in clinical settings are acknowledged but poorly understood and difficult to overcome. We discuss how structural components of electronic medical record (EMR) user interfaces may contribute to sex and gender-based discrimination against patients via constant, duplicative presentation of stigmatizing sexually transmitted infection (STI) data irrespective of clinical significance. Via comparison with symbolism and representative quotes in Hawthorne's 1850 novel The Scarlet Letter, we propose a metaphor to examine how EMRs function as a platform for moral judgment, which may display an indelible “scarlet letter” for pregnant patients with STI history. We consider whether current depictions of STIs in EMRs are structurally unjust and may contribute to biased treatment by directing attention to violations of hegemonic sex/gender norms regarding sexual behavior and thus triggering moral judgments of maternal fitness. We conclude with recommendations for how to address these challenges to improve ethical stewardship of sensitive sexual/reproductive health data.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2021 American Sexually Transmitted Diseases Association. |
Keywords: | Electronic Health Records; Female; HIV Infections; Humans; Male; Sexual Behavior; Sexual Health; Sexually Transmitted Diseases |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Social Sciences (Sheffield) > Information School (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 07 Dec 2022 14:17 |
Last Modified: | 07 Dec 2022 14:17 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health) |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1097/olq.0000000000001581 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:194185 |