Implicit Racial Associations Among Academic Physiatrists and Trainees: Implications for Equitable Health Care

This study investigated the prevalence of implicit racial associations among academic physiatrists and trainees. We administered the Harvard Implicit Association Test on race (Black/White) to 71 participants from a national academic physiatry association. The survey gathered demographic data (age, gender, ethnicity, race, professional role, and years of experience) and Harvard Implicit Association Test results, where participants reported a preference for Black race, White race, or no race preference. The majority of respondents (54.5%) displayed a preference for White race, with regression analysis revealing that participant race was the only significant predictor of this bias ( P = 0.03), No associations were found between age, gender, ethnicity, or trainee status and the Harvard Implicit Association Test results. The results indicated a significant pattern of implicit bias favoring White race among academic physiatrists and trainees, consistent with findings in other medical fields. The study emphases the need for ongoing efforts to be aware of and manage implicit biases in the field of physician medicine and rehabilitation, aiming to enhance patient outcomes and reduce healthcare disparities.