Byja Clinic

Why do directories like FindABlackDoctor.com exist?

A federal lawsuit is asking a court to decide whether a directory that helps patients find Black physicians is “racial discrimination.”

Nobody asks that question if a directory helps veteran patients find a veteran doctor. The difference isn’t intent — it’s visibility. Search engines default to showing certain doctors first, and Black physicians only make up roughly 5% of active U.S. physicians against ~13-14% of the population. A directory doesn’t create that gap. It responds to it.

The research on racial concordance in care is real and growing — better communication, higher preventive-care uptake, and in some studies, measurably better outcomes. That’s not a stereotype. That’s patients exercising informed choice.

In this clip from Byja Radio, Dr. Byron Jasper and PatientZero discuss an important distinction: helping patients find a physician who shares their language, culture, military background, gender, race, or other lived experiences is not about excluding others—it’s about improving access and supporting informed patient choice.

For many patients, finding a clinician with whom they feel understood can strengthen trust, improve communication, and encourage greater engagement in their care. Research on doctor-patient concordance suggests these relationships can contribute to better health outcomes for many individuals.

This conversation invites us to look beyond the headlines and consider a simple question: How can we make it easier for every patient to find the care that’s right for them?

🎥 Watch the clip and join the conversation.

Should patients have the freedom to choose a clinician with whom they feel the strongest connection?

Research suggests that when patients and clinicians share characteristics or lived experiences—such as language, culture, military service, gender, or race—it can lead to greater trust, stronger communication, and improved engagement in care. This concept is known as doctor-patient concordance.

In this clip from Byja Radio, Dr. Byron Jasper and PatientZero discuss why concordance is about expanding patient choice—not limiting it—and why recognizing the value of these relationships can play an important role in improving health outcomes.

Healthcare is at its best when patients feel heard, understood, and empowered to engage in their care.

🎥 Watch the clip and join the conversation.