Weight-based stigma and physician bias
 American Medical Association Journal of Ethics | Virtual Mentor,
April 2010
, Number 4:
258-262
Mrs. Williams visited her primary care physician, Dr. Smith, for a hospital follow-up (2 days after discharge) and evaluation of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia. She was obese (BMI of 50) and had been hospitalized for acute renal failure due to dehydration, respiratory distress, and poor-healing chronic decubitus ulcers. Her family believed the medical staff was to blame for Mrs. Williams’ current medical problems. They stated that she was receiving “inappropriate care” and that the physicians involved in treatment were “just putting a band-aid on her and trying to discharge her as quickly as possible” during each admission. This hospitalization marked her 10th in the last 5 months for similar symptoms. ...
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