Implicit bias in healthcare professionals: a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Psychology
• Health Disparities

Background:

• Implicit biases are unconscious associations influencing negative patient evaluations based on characteristics like race or gender.
• Healthcare professionals may exhibit these biases, impacting patient interactions and care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review existing evidence on implicit biases among healthcare professionals.
• To assess the influence of these biases on patient care quality and clinical decision-making.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search of PubMed, PsychINFO, PsychARTICLE, and CINAHL (2003-2013).
• Inclusion of 42 peer-reviewed articles using implicit measures (e.g., Implicit Association Test) or vignette-based designs.
• Assessment of studies examining racial/ethnic, gender, age, and weight biases.

Main Results:

• Thirty-five studies found evidence of implicit bias in healthcare professionals.
• A significant positive correlation was observed between implicit bias levels and lower quality of care.
• Healthcare professionals exhibit implicit biases comparable to the general population.

Conclusions:

• Implicit biases in healthcare professionals can influence diagnoses, treatment decisions, and overall care quality.
• Further research in real-world settings and standardized testing methods are needed to address implicit bias in healthcare.
• Addressing implicit bias is essential for mitigating healthcare disparities.