Classism

Abstract

Social class and classism can be traced back to the beginning of written history when social standing was based on nobility and family rank. In modern-day society, social standing is based on wealth and socioeconomic status. Classism refers to the marginalization of an individual or a group based on social class or perceived social class. It can be intentional or unintentional and is classified as individual or institutional. Institutional classism relates to policies and practices within an institution that present barriers and increase the difficulty of accessing resources for individuals in a particular social class. These cases highlight examples of unintentional institutional classism in healthcare that provide learners and practitioners with the tools to identify institutional classism or procedural blind spots in the healthcare setting and its implications. It is important for healthcare learners and institutions to be educated on actions, procedures, and strategies to mitigate classism in healthcare.