Mitigating implicit biases is a multi-faceted effort that requires awareness, education, and ongoing commitment from healthcare organizations and providers. By actively working to eliminate biases and promoting cultural
competence, the healthcare system can become more equitable, patient-centered, and effective in improving the health and well-being of all individuals.
CONCLUSION
Remember the opening scenario with Dr. Hadley and the patient Mr. Michaels? What could Dr. Hadley have done differently to prevent the above scenario? Well, as discussed throughout this course there are ways to address implicit biases and ensure we are providing equitable care. Dr. Hadley could have taken several of these steps to prevent such a poor patient outcome. These include: ● Self-Awareness and Reflection: Dr. Hadley could undergo training to recognize and understand implicit biases. By reflecting on her own biases and acknowledging that they exist, she can become more conscious of their potential influence on her clinical decisions. ● Cultural Competence Training: Participating in cultural competence training can help healthcare professionals understand their patients' diverse backgrounds and experiences. This training can help Dr. Hadley develop more empathy and sensitivity to the unique challenges faced by patients from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. Active Listening and Empathy: Dr. Hadley should actively listen to Mr. Michaels’ concerns without preconceived judgments. Demonstrating empathy and validating his experiences can create a more trusting patient-doctor relationship, leading to open communication and better understanding of his symptoms. ● Avoid Making Assumptions: Instead of relying on past encounters with Mr. Michaels or drawing conclusions based on his race, Dr. Hadley should approach each patient encounter with an open mind. Treating each patient as an individual with unique health concerns is essential to providing personalized care. ● Seek Additional Opinions: If Dr. Hadley is unsure about the cause of Mr. Michaels’ symptoms or feels that her biases might be affecting her judgment, she should consult with other healthcare professionals for their insights and perspectives. ● Conduct Thorough Examinations: Rather than dismissing his symptoms as minor, Dr. Hadley should perform a comprehensive evaluation, considering a range of potential diagnoses. Ordering more tests or consulting specialists, when necessary, can help rule out serious conditions and ensure timely diagnosis and treatment. ● Address Disparities in Healthcare: Dr. Hadley can advocate for policies and practices that address healthcare disparities and ensure equitable access to healthcare resources for all patients, regardless of their backgrounds. ● Create a Supportive Environment: Encouraging a diverse and inclusive healthcare environment can benefit patients and healthcare professionals alike. Dr. Hadley
should work to foster an atmosphere where patients feel comfortable expressing their concerns without fear of judgment. ● Monitor Personal Biases: Dr. Hadley should continuously monitor her own biases and be open to feedback from colleagues, patients, and staff. A commitment to self- improvement and growth is essential in overcoming biases effectively. By taking these proactive steps, Dr. Hadley can become a more culturally competent and empathetic healthcare professional, providing quality and unbiased care to all her patients, including Mr. Rick Michaels. This can lead to improved patient outcomes and overall satisfaction with the healthcare experience. Healthcare providers with implicit biases tend to exhibit less empathy toward specific patients, investing less time and effort in nurturing a therapeutic relationship and adversely affecting their treatment decisions. To mitigate adverse effects of implicit bias, training emphasizes a modifiable risk known to play a part in the causation of health disparities. The causes of these disparities are multifactorial, but implicit biases affect providers' perceptions of others, impacting decisions and contributing to health inequalities. Health care providers are instrumental in preventing unintentional disparities by recognizing and unlearning their biases. The key takeaways to ensure you consistently provide high- quality care are evaluating your biases, understanding the repercussions of your biases, letting the client write their own story, widening your in-group, and recognizing when your stereotyping and biases are magnified to mitigate them. Do you have questions about Implicit Bias? If so, send them to Healthcare.Instructor@colibrigroup.com and one of our subject matter experts will be in touch. Video: Conclusion
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Book Code: PCUS1525
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