From the Guidelines
Healthcare providers can mitigate implicit bias by implementing structured protocols for patient interactions, such as regular bias training programs, standardized assessment tools, and diverse healthcare teams, as recommended by the most recent study in 2023 1. To improve patient outcomes, it is essential to acknowledge the existence of implicit bias and take steps to counter it. Some key strategies include:
- Regular bias training programs for all staff, focusing on recognizing and countering unconscious prejudices related to race, gender, age, weight, and socioeconomic status
- Standardized assessment tools and checklists to ensure consistent evaluation of all patients, regardless of background
- Practicing active listening, allowing patients to fully express concerns before formulating treatment plans
- Implementing the "teach-back" method, where patients explain their understanding of diagnoses and treatment plans, to ensure effective communication across cultural and educational differences
- Data collection and regular audits of treatment patterns to identify disparities in care delivery, as suggested by the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology joint committee on clinical practice guidelines 1. These approaches work because implicit bias operates unconsciously, affecting clinical decisions without awareness; structured interventions create safeguards against these automatic associations. When providers slow down their decision-making process and follow standardized protocols, they rely less on mental shortcuts that can activate biases, ultimately leading to more equitable care and improved health outcomes for all patient populations, which is in line with the recommendations for addressing health disparities in allergic and immunologic conditions in racial and ethnic underserved populations 1. Additionally, healthcare providers should engage in implicit bias and cultural competency training to increase self-awareness, as 70% of physicians have an implicit preference for whites over blacks, which affects medical decision making, communication, and nonverbal behavior 1. By applying an equity-focused lens to care and fostering enhanced patient-provider communication, healthcare providers can mitigate implicit bias and improve patient outcomes, as emphasized by the 2023 AHA/ACC/ACCP/ASPC/NLA/PCNA guideline for the management of patients with chronic coronary disease 1.
From the Research
Mitigating Implicit Bias in Healthcare
To improve patient outcomes, healthcare providers can take several steps to mitigate implicit bias:
- Recognize the existence and harmful role of bias in perpetuating health disparities 2
- Engage in skills training for the management of bias, such as instruction on implicit bias and its effects on patient care 3, 4
- Participate in virtual health equity training, which can improve knowledge and attitudes towards implicit bias 5
- Practice perspective-taking and individuation when providing patient care, focusing on individual patients' information apart from their social group 6
Strategies for Reducing Implicit Bias
Healthcare providers can use the following strategies to reduce implicit bias:
- Increase awareness of implicit biases and their impact on patient care 2, 3
- Develop egalitarian goals for care delivery, aiming to provide equal treatment for all patients 2
- Engage in group-based reflection discussions to raise awareness and promote change 5
- Increase the number of diverse healthcare providers, such as African American/Black physicians, who exhibit less implicit race bias 6
Systemic Changes
To effectively mitigate implicit bias, systemic changes are necessary:
- Interventions should accompany systemic changes inside and outside the healthcare system to reduce health inequities 2
- Healthcare organizations should develop and implement training programs to address implicit bias and promote health equity 3, 5
- Policies and practices should be put in place to support healthcare providers in recognizing and mitigating implicit bias 4, 6