Virtual Communication Across Differences: Development of a Workshop on Managing Patient Bias.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Health Equity
• Communication Skills Training

Background:

• Racial discrimination and patient bias are prevalent in healthcare.
• Few medical schools offer curricula addressing patient bias and racism.
• There is a need to equip medical students with skills to navigate these challenging interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and implement a virtual communication class for medical students.
• To train students in responding effectively to patient bias and racism.
• To assess the impact of the training on student confidence and skills.

Main Methods:

• A virtual communication class was developed focusing on patient bias and racism.
• Students participated in didactic sessions and practiced scenarios with actors.
• Motivational interviewing techniques were used to guide student responses.
• Faculty provided direct feedback on student performance.

Main Results:

• Student confidence significantly increased in exploring patient intentions (P=.026).
• Confidence improved in navigating conversations with biased patients (P=.019).
• Students showed enhanced confidence in using nonverbal empathy skills (P=.031).
• Many students reported this as their first exposure and practice opportunity.

Conclusions:

• Training medical students to respond to patient bias and racism is feasible, affordable, and effective.
• The curriculum positively impacted student confidence in handling sensitive discussions.
• Integrating such training into medical school programs is strongly encouraged.