The Sick Bias

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Patient Care
• Health Equity

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic presented unique challenges for medical trainees.
• Initial patient evaluations significantly impact patient outcomes.
• Provider biases can influence clinical decision-making.

Purpose of the Study:

• To share a trainee's perspective on patient evaluations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To highlight the importance of a
• sick bias
• approach in patient triage.
• To examine how provider biases affect health inequities.

Main Methods:

• Perspective piece based on trainee experience.
• Analysis of initial patient evaluation processes.
• Discussion of the
• sick bias
• concept.

Main Results:

• Trainees encountered difficulties in initial patient assessments during the pandemic.
• A
• sick bias
• approach is valuable for effective patient triage.
• Provider biases, both explicit and implicit, can exacerbate health disparities.

Conclusions:

• Adopting a
• sick bias
• mindset is essential for trainees.
• Addressing provider biases is critical to mitigating health inequities in patient care.
• Trainee experiences offer insights into improving clinical practice.