When Is the Next Available? A Field Experiment Measuring Race and Ethnicity Discrimination in Booking Medical Appointments

We conduct a field experiment – an audit study – to assess discrimination faced by African-Americans and Hispanics in accessing primary medical care. Callers who are either African-American, Hispanic, or non-Hispanic White call doctor's offices, using a standardized script, to attempt to book medical appointments. We measure discrimination by comparing appointment offer rates, time-to-appointment, and questions posed to our prospective patients. Race and ethnicity are disclosed in the calls by through names and/or voice (linguistic profiling). We find interesting disparities, where African-American and Hispanic callers are offered more appointments, but they wait significantly longer for their appointments.