Black patients--white doctors

To the Editor.— I think it is unfortunate that Dr Levy ("White Doctors and Black Patients: Influence of Race on the Doctor-Patient Relationship," Pediatrics 1985;75:639-643) practices in an area where black patients are perceived as uneducated, indigent, and uncooperative. In northern Virginia, the black patients in our practice are generally well-educated, motivated, and committed to being good parents. As far as I can tell they have the same concerns as any parent (Has their child been molested? Will he or she read well, do well in school, have friends?) and the same strong desire for a healthy child who will be a productive citizen and have a family.