Bias Training Implementation in Holistic Admissions Review in a Physical Therapy Program

Area of Science:

• Health Professions Education
• Admissions Processes
• Bias Mitigation

Background:

• Holistic admissions require dismantling inequitable practices.
• Bias awareness and mitigation are crucial for optimal reviewer training.
• Standardized training is needed for effective implicit bias mitigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe and characterize strategies for standardizing implicit bias training for admissions reviewers.
• To implement and evaluate implicit bias training during a graduate admissions cycle.
• To assess the application of bias mitigation strategies by reviewers.

Main Methods:

• 22 holistic admissions reviewers received standardized implicit bias training.
• Training planning involved literature review on biases and mitigation strategies.
• Implementation utilized multimodal materials with repetition and consistency.

Main Results:

• All reviewers participated in and reported successful application of bias mitigation strategies.
• Post-training surveys indicated good to excellent use of mitigation techniques.
• Sustainability strategies were identified at multiple levels.

Conclusions:

• Well-planned implicit bias training was well-received and adopted by admissions reviewers.
• Quality improvement and implementation frameworks support standardization and sustainability.
• This approach can enhance equity in admissions processes.