MITIGATION STRATEGIES
● Implicit Bias Recognition: Tools and resources, such as Implicit Association Tests (IATs), can help individuals recognize their own implicit biases and increase awareness of how these biases may influence their behavior. ● Data Collection and Analysis: Healthcare organizations can collect and analyze data on healthcare disparities among different patient groups. This information can identify areas of concern and guide targeted interventions to address disparities related to implicit biases. ● Inclusive Policies and Guidelines: Implementing policies and guidelines that prioritize equitable care and prohibit discrimination can create a supportive and inclusive healthcare environment. ● Patient Feedback: Encouraging patient feedback and actively listening to patient experiences can help healthcare providers better understand how implicit biases may impact patient care. Feedback can inform ongoing improvements and adjustments to healthcare practices. By mitigating implicit biases, healthcare professionals can enhance patient trust, promote more accurate diagnoses, improve treatment outcomes, and contribute to reducing healthcare disparities. It requires a commitment from all levels of the healthcare system to create an environment that fosters cultural competence, empathy, and equity in patient care. There is a need for more evidence-based research on how to effectively mitigate our biases, with most research being cited outside of a 10-year range. However, what is agreed upon is that mitigation efforts must start with self-reflection and evaluation to identify our own biases. Identifying our biases helps create situational awareness and provides a better understanding of our behaviors within the environment. Taking the IAT is a good starting point in identifying personal biases, with a recommendation of taking it multiple times to see how your biases change or improve over time (Gino & Coffman, 2021). Reflection Self-reflection, a soft skill that requires executive functioning and self-regulation, is a common intervention for eliminating personal biases and maturing in cultural competency (Bailey & Rehman, 2022). Self-reflection allows you to review the past, extract the learning opportunities you had in the past, and use them to create a better future. The act increases self-awareness about personal tendencies and biases. The ability to reflect is a learned skill that requires purposeful use of our working memory, mental flexibility, and self-control. Our working memory allows us to review past situations in detail. In contrast, our mental flexibility allows us to change our behavior by applying new rules to previous experiences. Self-control helps us resist the impulsive action of acting as we previously did. In simpler terms, they allow us to learn from our mistakes and find ways to prevent repeating the same mistake (Harvard University, 2020). However, for proper reflection and learning to occur, the questions we mediate must go beneath the surface to answer the whys. As healthcare providers, we should be asking questions such as: ● Am I comfortable with certain patients? Who and why? Is there a noticeable pattern, such as race, gender, or education level? ● Have clients raised concerns through complaints about my attitude or how I communicate?
Biases are a common protective mechanism, and continued discussion of having biases can make it appear as though we are normalizing having preferences. However, that is not the case because the repercussions caused by biases toward others are not acceptable and are not unavoidable (Gino & Coffman, 2021). Video: What can be done?
Nevertheless, what is not wanted in mitigation efforts is for someone to stop interacting with their out-groups for fear of an unintentional behavior caused by their biases. Avoidance leads to isolation, which increases our biases because biases are formed through interactions with our daily environment. Because of our brain's neuroplasticity, we can actively change how our brain interprets the environment, which will change the way we behave in the environment. Mitigating implicit biases refers to the process of reducing or minimizing the impact of unconscious attitudes, stereotypes, and prejudices that influence our perceptions, decisions, and behaviors towards others. These biases are often deeply ingrained and occur involuntarily, without our conscious awareness or intention. Mitigating these biases is essential in various settings, including healthcare, education, workplaces, and social interactions. In the context of healthcare, mitigating implicit biases means taking proactive steps to address and minimize their influence on patient care and interactions. It involves recognizing that these biases exist and can affect clinical judgment, treatment decisions, communication with patients, and overall healthcare delivery. The goal is to promote equitable, unbiased, and patient-centered care for all individuals, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, or other personal characteristics. Mitigating implicit biases in healthcare involves several key strategies: ● Self-Awareness: Healthcare providers need to acknowledge that they may have implicit biases and be willing to reflect on their own attitudes and beliefs. By becoming aware of their biases, providers can actively work to counteract them in their interactions with patients. ● Education and Training: Healthcare organizations can provide training and education on implicit bias, cultural competence, and diversity. These programs help healthcare professionals understand the impact of biases on patient care and equip them with tools to mitigate these biases effectively. ● Culturally Competent Care: Healthcare providers should strive to provide culturally competent care, which involves understanding and respecting the cultural, linguistic, and social backgrounds of their patients. This approach allows providers to deliver care that aligns with patients' values, beliefs, and preferences.
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Book Code: PCUS1525
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