Managing Patient Bias: Teaching Residents to Navigate Racism and Bias in the Workplace

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Healthcare Equity
• Surgical Training

Background:

• Systemic racism significantly impacts American society and healthcare.
• Physician bias is well-documented; patient bias is increasingly recognized.
• There is an urgent need to address discrimination in healthcare settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and pilot an anti-bias training module for surgical residents.
• To equip residents with skills to manage bias in the workplace.
• To create a more equitable and supportive healthcare environment.

Main Methods:

• Designed and piloted a simulation-based communication module for bias management.
• Incorporated feedback from students, faculty, and simulated patients.
• Developed interdepartmental training videos and standardized debriefing for residencies.

Main Results:

• Medical student pilot showed increased confidence in bias-related skills.
• Surgical residents reported significant increases in confidence for responding to bias, follow-up, and self-care.
• The anti-bias module was feasible, affordable, and effective.

Conclusions:

• Low-cost, high-impact anti-bias modules are effective for healthcare learners.
• Interdepartmental training fosters institutional change and standardized responses to discrimination.
• Developing uniform approaches to race-based microaggressions enhances team support and patient safety.