These programs help individuals recognize and acknowledge their biases, fostering a more empathetic and unbiased approach to patient care. Additionally, implementing policies and procedures prioritizing equitable treatment for all patients can play a pivotal role in reducing
healthcare disparities. Ultimately, confronting implicit bias in healthcare is essential to creating a more just and equitable healthcare system where everyone receives fair and equal treatment regardless of their background or characteristics.
INTRODUCTION
It is vital to recognize that while the causes of health disparities are multifactorial, researchers have identified that unconscious biases affect clinicians’ perceptions of others, influencing decisions and actively contributing to health inequalities. Typically, implicit biases are negative and unintentionally lead to disparities in patient–provider interactions, treatment decisions, and overall access to care. The purpose of implementing implicit bias training is to emphasize to healthcare providers a modifiable risk known to play a role in the causation of health disparities. Pretest 1. What percentage of the U.S. population is considered to be biased?
As providers recognize and acknowledge their unconscious biases, they become instrumental in preventing the unintentional disparities their biases can cause (Lakine- Harden, 2022). “Because what we do is we start writing the story of a person before we get to know the person and implicit bias is a trigger for that.” —Jennefer Witter CEO/Founder, The Boreland Group Inc. 4. Which mitigation strategy is the most useful in eliminating personal biases? a. Working with colleagues of different races and gender b. Supporting social justice organizations c. Participating in educational courses related to your geographical location d. Increasing your awareness of personal biases, beliefs, and thoughts 5. Which of the following is a type of bias? a. Preferring to care for patients who are like you b. Generalizing a negative experience to others c. Assuming a clothing style is related to intelligence d. All the above
a. 25% b. 50% c. 75% d. 100%
2. When you first meet someone, how soon do implicit biases begin to influence your decisions?
a. 10 seconds b. 30 seconds c. 1 minute d. 3 minutes
3.
What is the best definition of implicit bias? a. A bias learned in childhood b. A perceived feeling toward others c. A belief or feeling that we are unaware of d. A belief about others who are different than us
DO IMPLICIT BIASES REALLY AFFECT PATIENT CARE?
Do implicit biases really affect patient care? That is a question asked many times when it comes to implicit biases. Implicit biases in healthcare can have serious consequences, affecting patient outcomes and experiences. Healthcare professionals must be aware of their biases, actively challenge them, and provide equitable care to all patients, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or other characteristics. Cultural competence and empathy training can significantly address these biases and improve healthcare delivery. Before we take a deep dive into biases, let’s look at a scenario. Meet our characters: ● Dr. Sarai Hadley: a physician, 15 years of experience ● Mr. Rick Michaels: a patient, 53-year-old black male ● Leslie: Dr. Hadley’s nurse Scenario: Dr. Hadley walked into her clinic, ready for another busy day of seeing patients. As she reviewed her schedule, she noticed Mr. Rick Michaels, a 53-year-old black man, was coming in for a follow-up appointment. He had been complaining of persistent abdominal pain and fatigue for the past few months. Dr. Hadley had seen Mr. Michaels a few times before, but his symptoms were rather vague and non-specific. She remembered that his blood tests and imaging results had been within the normal range during previous visits, so she dismissed his symptoms as likely caused by stress or a minor digestive issue. However, today, Mr. Michaels looked visibly more fatigued and seemed to be in more pain. As he entered the examination room, Nurse Leslie greeted him warmly and recorded his vital signs. Dr. Hadley
followed shortly after, and after some small talk, she asked Mr. Michaels to explain his symptoms again. He hesitated slightly before describing his symptoms, feeling like his concerns had been brushed off in the past. Nevertheless, he detailed the persistence of his abdominal pain, which had started interfering with his daily activities, and how he felt unusually fatigued despite getting enough rest. Dr. Hadley listened attentively but found herself feeling unconsciously biased. She considered the possibility of Mr. Michaels exaggerating his symptoms or seeking pain medication for reasons other than genuine medical needs. As Mr. Michaels spoke, Dr. Hadley’s implicit bias influenced her clinical judgment, leading her to attribute his symptoms to less severe conditions, potentially ignoring serious underlying issues. She decided to order a few more blood tests and an ultrasound, primarily to appease Mr. Michaels, rather than out of genuine concern for his well-being. A few days later, the test results came back, and Nurse Leslie brought them to Dr. Hadley’s attention. Although the results showed some abnormalities, she subconsciously dismissed them as minor anomalies that wouldn't account for the symptoms. She prescribed him some over-the- counter pain relief medication and advised him to return if the pain persisted.
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Book Code: PCUS1525
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