Evidence Based Implicit Bias Implications for Physicians and Healthcare Professionals
128
Assembly Bill No. 241
c. Evidence of racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare is remarkably consistent across a range of illnesses and healthcare services. Racial and ethnic disparities remain even after adjusting for socioeconomic differences, insurance status, and other factors influencing access to healthcare. d. African American women are three to four times more likely than White women to die from pregnancy-related causes nationwide. African American patients often are prescribed less pain medication than White patients who present the same complaints, and African American patients with signs of heart problems are not referred for advanced cardiovascular procedures as often as White patients with the same symptoms. e. Implicit gender bias also impacts treatment decisions and outcomes. Women are less likely to survive a heart attack when they are treated by a male physician and surgeon. LGBTQ and gender-nonconforming patients are less likely to seek timely medical care because they experience disrespect and discrimination from healthcare staff, with one out of five transgender patients nationwide reporting that they were outright denied medical care due to bias. f. The Legislature intends to provide specified healing arts licensees with strategies for understanding and reducing the impact of their biases in order to reduce disparate outcomes and ensure that all patients receive fair treatment and quality healthcare. The process of implicit bias in no way diminishes the importance of conscious, deliberate behavior. Physicians’ con-
Assembly Bill No. 241 CHAPTER 417
An act to amend Sections 2190.1 and 3524.5 of, and to add Section 2736.5 to, the Business and Professions Code, relating to healing arts. [Approved by Governor October 02, 2019. Filed with Secretary of State October 02, 2019.] LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST This bill would require the Board of Registered Nursing, by January 1, 2022, to adopt regulations requiring all continu- ing education courses for its licensees to contain curriculum that includes specified instruction in the understanding of implic- it bias in treatment. Beginning January 1, 2023, the bill would require continuing education providers to comply with these provisions and would require the board to audit education providers for compli- ance with these provisions, as specified. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: a. Implicit bias, meaning the attitudes or internalized stereotypes that affect our perceptions, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner, exists, and often contributes to unequal treatment of people based on race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, and other characteristics. b. Implicit bias contributes to health disparities by affecting the behavior of physicians and surgeons, nurses, physician assistants, and other healing arts licensees.
Powered by FlippingBook