HERE IS TGE MAIN POST

Your textbook and the Shen et al. (2018) article describe the impact of provider implicit bias and stereotypes on patient visit outcomes. Citing both your textbook and Shen et al. (2018), describe your main take-aways from the readings. What can you do to minimize such bias in your own clinical practice?

Ell RESPONDED TO THE MAIN POST

Implicit bias is commonly known as the attitudes and stereotypes that we hold without consciously knowing (FitzGerald et al., 2019).  Implicit bias interferes with our clinical judgment, observed care, and recommendations (Shen et al., 2018). Such bias’s impact everyday care and communication with others as well as affect the over all quality of care. More specifically, Shen et al. (2018) wrote that implicit attitudes can influence the quality of care during patient-physician interactions and impact treatment and information exchange. Research shows that good communication is correlated with positive health (Shen et al., 2018).  Similarly, Taylor (2018) also writes on the ways that communication can be impacted between patient and physician. Specifically, the use of jargon may impact a client ability to adhere to treatment and understand.

Interestingly, FitzGerald et al., (2019) assessed different ways in which implicit bias can be reduced.  A systematic review was conducted to further conclude what interventions may be best to reduce implicit bias. FitzGerald et al., (2019) found that from a total of 30 analyzed articles and the most effective interventions were found to be: intentional strategies to overcome biases; exposure to counterstereotypical exemplars; identifying the self with the outgroup; evaluative conditioning; and inducing emotion. The literature reveals that there is not only only way to reduce bias, and while some may be quantitatively better, they are not individually right. So, just as clinicians and physicians need to tailor their treatment to their clients, they also need to tailor their reduction in bias techniques as well.

References

FitzGerald, C., Martin, A., Berner, D. et al. (2019).Interventions designed to reduce implicit prejudices and implicit stereotypes in real world contexts: a systematic review. BMC Psychol 7, 29

Shen, M. J., Peterson, E. B., Costas-Muiz, R., Hernandez, M. H., Jewell, S. T., Matsoukas, K., & Bylund, C. L. (2018). The effects of race and racial concordance on patient-physician communication: a systematic review of the literature. Journal of racial and ethnic health disparities, 5(1), 117-140.

Taylor, S. (2018). Health psychology. New York, NY: McGraw Hill.