Renowned for his contributions to patient care and medical research, Albert Nguyen, MD, PhD, is a leading Oklahoma City physician and founder of Affordable Health Services PLLC (est. 2014). Trained at the University of Oklahoma with dual MD/PhD degrees and residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Dr. Nguyen brings deep expertise in family medicine, preventive care, and evidence-based practice informed by research on Alzheimer’s and HIV. His clinic delivers comprehensive, nondiscriminatory services with an emphasis on ethical standards, transparency, and patient-centered communication. Certified in BLS, ACLS, and ATLS—and active in professional and community organizations—Dr. Nguyen is widely trusted for providing equitable access to high-quality care across diverse patient populations. Non-discrimination is both a professional obligation and an ethical anchor in medicine. For primary care physicians, fairness means equal access to diagnostics, timely interventions, and consistent follow-up. Inclusive care protects access while respecting diverse circumstances, ensuring treatment adapts to each patient without bias. Justice requires that physicians deliver these opportunities impartially, forming the foundation of trust. Bias can distort these standards. Implicit assumptions influence the interpretation of symptoms and treatment options, even when providers intend to act fairly. When unaddressed, bias creates disparities in outcomes, reduces follow-up rates, and disrupts continuity of care. Over time, these disparities compound, leaving patients struggling to manage chronic conditions consistently. Additionally, bias narrows informed decision-making by restricting the options patients hear. Autonomy depends on reviewing a full range of accurate information. If assumptions limit the choices presented or diminish patient input, individuals lose meaningful participation in their own care. Inclusive, trust-building communication encourages fuller disclosure from patients who might otherwise withhold sensitive information. When patients feel that medical professionals will hear their concerns without judgment, they provide more complete histories. That openness ensures treatment plans reflect the full scope of their needs. When disclosure improves, physicians often uncover concerns that patients might otherwise withhold, such as mental health challenges or substance use issues. Alongside privacy protections, professional conduct serves as another safeguard. Integrity requires clear, transparent communication, including acknowledging diagnostic uncertainty and explaining next steps. Patients benefit when they know they will receive the same openness and accountability regardless of circumstance. Next, bias affects clinical outcomes and shapes the perception of care. Higher levels of bias link to lower ratings of patient-centeredness, often tied to rushed explanations or shorter visits. Even when decisions are clinically sound, patients may view communication as inequitable, eroding trust and discouraging future care. Advocacy extends inclusivity beyond the exam room. Many patients face barriers such as unstable housing, food insecurity, or limited employment that influence health outcomes. By connecting patients to community resources and helping them navigate complex systems, primary care physicians advocate for fairness at the individual level. Addressing these non-medical factors supports better adherence to treatment and more stable long-term outcomes. These efforts gain strength when organizations set clear expectations. Bias-awareness training, standardized intake forms, and transparent referral criteria reduce reliance on personal discretion. System-level safeguards embed fairness so patients encounter consistent practices, regardless of which provider they see. Structured training further reinforces inclusivity. Programs build provider knowledge and self-awareness; some demonstrate better communication behaviors, as noted in patient feedback and provider self-assessments. Lasting change in outcomes has not yet emerged on a large scale, but making training part of continuing education ensures inclusivity becomes a sustained professional standard. Well-designed sessions also promote self-reflection, helping clinicians recognize moments when bias shapes an interaction and adjust in real time. Consistency across providers is equally important. When every clinician applies the same principles—justice, autonomy, confidentiality, and integrity—patients experience uniform standards of care across the team. This collective approach prevents uneven treatment and anchors fairness within practice routines. When training outcomes extend across teams, they scale into broader professional norms. Embedding fairness in everyday care can improve equity and strengthen public trust in healthcare. By treating inclusivity as a standard rather than an aspiration, primary care physicians help establish a sustainable culture of equitable treatment.
Anna Biddle
Editor-in-Chief at zSHARE, exploring SaaS and more. Contributor at The Next Web, and Forbes.