Understanding Healthcare Experiences Through TEDx Talks: A Thematic Study

International Journal of Social Science and Human Research ISSN (print): 2644-0679, ISSN (online): 2644-0695 Volume 08 Issue 12 December 2025 DOI: 10.47191/ijsshr/v8-i12-29, Impact factor8.007 Page No: 9425-9429 IJSSHR, Volume 08 Issue 12 December 2025 www.ijsshr.in Page 9425 Understanding Healthcare Experiences Through TEDx Talks: A Thematic Study Khadeeja Salem Alameri1, Alyazia Almashaikhi2, Hind Fathi Albreiki3, Aya Fuad Alharbi4, Maitha Almenhali5, Alya Bassam Ahmed6, Waad Alameri7, Afreen Faiza*8, Nida Khan9, Saher Alsabbah10 1,2,3,4,5,6,7BS Psychology, Department of Psychology, Fatima College of Health Sciences 8,9,10Department of Psychology, Institute of Applied Technology, Fatima College of Health Sciences ABSTRACT: Healthcare experiences are shaped by a range of social and structural factors that influence access to care, health outcomes, and public trust in medical systems. To explore how these experiences are portrayed and discussed in digital media, a thematic analysis was conducted on eight TEDx Talks focusing on challenges and perspectives within healthcare systems. Each video was examined for key messages, intended audiences, barriers to inclusion, proposed solutions, personal reflections, and actionable recommendations. Across the talks, recurring themes included disparities in care delivery, implicit bias, representation, and the importance of equity-oriented reforms. Speakers emphasized solutions such as cultural competence training, workforce diversity, and system redesign to promote fairness and inclusivity in healthcare. Overall, the findings highlight the role of digital platforms like TEDx in fostering awareness, dialogue, and understanding of social and experiential dimensions of healthcare. KEYWORDS: Healthcare experiences, TEDx talks, Diversity and inclusion, Thematic analysis * Project conducted by graduate students as a Psychology laboratory activity in the elective course (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Healthcare) INTRODUCTION Across the globe, as one in six people worldwide experience discrimination (UN Global compact, 2024). It manifests in various forms, from overt acts of hate to more subtle, systemic barriers that limit opportunities for marginalized communities (Bradby., 2010);disparities driven by structural racism, social determinants of health, and institutional biases (Bailey et al., 2017). Healthcare should be a basic right for everyone, but there are still many challenges that people from racial and ethnic backgrounds face. These challenges come from a long history of unfair treatment and continue because of hidden biases, economic differences, and not enough representation in healthcare. This leads to unequal access to medical care and poorer health outcomes for these communities (Odzakovic et al., 2023). Thus, understanding these barriers and working towards inclusivity, involves actively addressing these challenges and implementing strategies that promotes diversity and fair opportunities for all individuals (Okeahialam et al., 2025). TEDx Talks, guided by the slogan “Ideas Change Everything” (TED, 2000), serve as influential platforms for discussing real-world challenges. These short, freely accessible presentations offer a cost-effective and engaging way to reach broad audiences and encourage community involvement in health-related issues. As Nicolle, Britton, Janakiram, and Robichaud (2014) note, technological innovations enhance communication and connection, enabling TEDx Talks to effectively share knowledge. Their open-access nature allows people from diverse backgrounds to gain insight into the social factors that shape health and well-being. The aim of the study is to explore how racial and social inequities in healthcare are presented, communicated and addressed in public through TEDx Talks. METHODOLOGY Eight (N=8) TEDx videos related to minority groups and racial disparities in healthcare were purposefully selected from YouTube. To fit within time constraints, only English-language videos focused on healthcare inequalities and racism, with durations between 10 and 20 minutes, were included in the analysis. Present project was carried out by psychology graduate students as part of a laboratory activity within the elective course Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Healthcare PSY-509, aimed at fostering experiential learning and analytical skills. Understanding Healthcare Experiences Through TEDx Talks: A Thematic Study IJSSHR, Volume 08 Issue 12 December 2025 www.ijsshr.in Page 9426 PROCEDURE A structured content analysis was carried out on TEDx talks addressing racial and social disparities in healthcare. Utilising inductive, qualitative and grounded research techniques, videos were selected without any pre-determined themes or ideas Charmaz, 1983), later video contents were collectively used to analyse texts in objective, systematic and quantitively ways Wimmer and Dominick 1996) . Data was recorded using researcher’s self-developed excel sheet contents of video were identified that includes core messages, intended audiences, and barriers to inclusion were assessed, and proposed solutions, personal reflections, and practical steps for improving inclusivity were documented. Responses were aggregated and examined to extract overarching themes and subthemes. RESULTS Table 1: Video Titles and Durations Speaker's Name Video Title Duration (min) Delain Teabout Thomas Yes, racism is a public health crisis: now what? 18 Dr. Melissa Clarke Surprising solutions to racism in US healthcare and policing 19:06 Dr. Nwando Olayiwola Combating Racism and place-ism in Medicine 11:24 Dr. Curry-Winchell Why black patients don’t trust the healthcare system 13 Lisa Cooper Tackling ethnic health disparities: Lisa Cooper at TEDxBaltimore 2014 20:49 Dr. Ndidiamaka Amutah A broken healthcare system: racism and maternal health 11:37 Willie Underwood III Racial Health Equity: A Right Now Priority 12 Dennis Pocekay Racism & Health 17:42 Table 2: Key Messages Speaker's Name Key Message Delain Teabout Thomas There is a lack of transparency and equity in healthcare, leading to health disparities related to racism. Dr. Melissa Clarke Racism in healthcare and policing is systemic, requiring restructuring for equity. Dr. Nwando Olayiwola Systemic biases in medicine harm patients; technology and educational reform can promote health equity. Dr. Curry-Winchell Black patients mistrust the healthcare system; representation is crucial to regain trust. Lisa Cooper Persistent health inequalities among ethnic groups in the U.S. need to be addressed. Dr. Ndidiamaka Amutah Racism in the U.S. healthcare system leads to poor maternal health outcomes for Black women. Willie Underwood III Addressing racial disparities in healthcare requires eliminating biases and improving representation. Dennis Pocekay Racism causes chronic and acute health problems; promoting diversity and inclusion is essential. Overall key message : Systemic racism and biases in healthcare lead to significant health disparities for racial and ethnic minorities. Table 3: Target Groups Speaker's Name Target Group Delain Teabout Thomas Racial minorities Dr. Melissa Clarke Racial minorities, particularly Black and Brown communities Dr. Nwando Olayiwola Racial and ethnic minorities, particularly Black communities or economically disadvantaged neighborhoods Dr. Curry-Winchell Black people Lisa Cooper Racial and ethnic minorities, low-income communities, immigrant populations Dr. Ndidiamaka Amutah Black women in the United States Willie Underwood III Racial minorities, particularly Black Americans Dennis Pocekay Racial minorities, particularly Black people The main target group overall in all videos is racial and ethnic minorities, particularly Black and Brown communities. Understanding Healthcare Experiences Through TEDx Talks: A Thematic Study IJSSHR, Volume 08 Issue 12 December 2025 www.ijsshr.in Page 9427 Table 4: Barriers to Inclusivity Speaker's Name Barriers Delain Teabout Thomas Lack of transparency, racism, low considerations for minority groups Dr. Melissa Clarke Systemic bias, lack of accountability Dr. Nwando Olayiwola Systemic racism, place-ism (geographic location affecting health outcomes) Dr. Curry-Winchell Bias, lack of representation Lisa Cooper Implicit bias, lack of access to quality healthcare, cultural and language barriers Dr. Ndidiamaka Amutah Implicit bias, discrimination, economic disparities, lack of insurance Willie Underwood III Implicit bias, historical medical racism, economic impact of health disparities Dennis Pocekay Social factors, lack of resources, lack of education, cultural racism Table 5: Proposed Solutions Speaker's Name Proposed Solutions Delain Teabout Thomas Redesigning inequitable systems, increasing transparency through T.I.M.E Certification Dr. Melissa Clarke Implicit bias and cultural competency training, redesigning systems for equity Dr. Nwando Olayiwola Leveraging technology, educational reforms to address systemic biases Dr. Curry-Winchell Representation, equal access to jobs and opportunities Lisa Cooper Training healthcare providers to recognize and reduce implicit bias, improving healthcare access, adapting medical practices to respect cultural differences Dr. Ndidiamaka Amutah Translational Health Equity Research (MOTHER) Lab, Center for Black Maternal Health and Reproductive Justice (CBMHRJ) Willie Underwood III Awareness of disparities, treating all patients with dignity and respect, increasing representation in healthcare Dennis Pocekay Promoting diversity and inclusion, addressing systemic racism Table 6 : Actionable Steps Speaker's Name Actionable Steps Delain Teabout Thomas Realizing the need for transparency in public health and taking action to prevent health disparities Dr. Melissa Clarke Understanding the need for big system changes and hearing from affected communities Dr. Nwando Olayiwola Recognizing the importance of making healthcare fair for everyone, regardless of race or location Dr. Curry-Winchell Understanding the need for more representation in healthcare to prevent racism Lisa Cooper Learning about different cultural perspectives, supporting policies to improve access to care, continuing to learn about health disparities Dr. Ndidiamaka Amutah Increasing awareness of racism in healthcare, promoting policies against racism and discrimination Willie Underwood III Reflecting on how historical injustices affect healthcare today, inspired to work towards eliminating disparities Dennis Pocekay Promoting diversity and inclusion, addressing systemic racism DISCUSSION The study found that racial and social inequalities in healthcare are major issues, influenced by discrimination, bias, and structural barriers. The TEDx talks analyzed highlighted key themes such as unfair medical treatment, lack of diversity in healthcare, and the need for policy changes. The most prominent theme revolves around systemic racism in healthcare and its impact on racial and ethnic minorities. Across all categories the key messages, target groups, barriers to inclusivity, proposed solutions, personal reflections, and actionable steps, the discussions consistently highlight how racial biases, implicit discrimination, and historical injustices contribute to health disparities. These findings match previous research showing that racial minorities often receive lowerquality healthcare, leading to poorer health outcomes (Bailey et al., 2017). One major issue discussed was implicit bias in medical Understanding Healthcare Experiences Through TEDx Talks: A Thematic Study IJSSHR, Volume 08 Issue 12 December 2025 www.ijsshr.in Page 9428 decisions. Some healthcare providers may treat patients differently based on race without realizing it. Studies show that Black and Hispanic patients receive less pain treatment than White patients (Hoffman et al., 2016). This can lead to serious health risks. Another key issue was systemic racism in healthcare institutions. Many Black patients distrust the medical system due to past unethical studies, such as the Tuskegee Syphilis Study (Alsan & Wanamaker, 2018). This mistrust causes some to avoid seeking medical care, making health problems worse. Solutions like increasing diversity in healthcare and improving cultural training for doctors can help (Cooper et al., 2018). Access to healthcare was also discussed. Many minority groups, especially those from low-income backgrounds, face financial barriers to medical care. This increases rates of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease (Williams et al., 2019). Solving aforementioned issues requires a combination of policy changes, better training for doctors, and community support. TEDx talks help spread awareness, but real change needs action from healthcare leaders and policymakers. Needless to assert that racism in healthcare is a structural issue that demands institutional change, education, and inclusivity efforts to achieve health equity for everyone. CONCLUSION Research highlights that effective anti-racism interventions in healthcare should be thoughtfully developed and executed across multiple levels of the system. This requires actively including Black, Indigenous, and other racialized groups in decision-making processes to ensure their perspectives and needs are represented. Additionally, organizations should implement comprehensive policies and procedures specifically designed to address and eliminate instances of racism within the system. 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