Recommended Teaching Strategies to Mitigate Implicit Bias in Minority Healthcare Students

Abstract

Implicit bias, also known as unconscious bias, is a form of bias that occurs automatically and unintentionally. Implicit bias impacts judgment and decisions, which leads to unfair treatment practices and health disparities. Fitzgerald and Hurst (2017) reported that implicit bias within minority populations was associated with diagnostic uncertainty and poor provider communication, both of which led to more significant disparities and poor health outcomes. While it is known that implicit bias negatively impacts minorities, research also indicates the implications of implicit biases towards marginalized populations, such as people with disabilities and people of lower socioeconomic status. These biases lead to inequitable treatment when accessing healthcare services (Job et al., 2022).  

University faculty in health disciplines must be willing to teach and provide students with the tools to become aware of their biases and avoid biased behaviors that can negatively impact patient health outcomes. Different educational strategies have been used; however, there needs to be more information on the impact on students working within minoritized populations. This scoping review aims to provide recommended evidence-based teaching strategies to mitigate implicit bias in students enrolled in health disciplines and thus reduce health disparities.