Implicit Bias in Healthcare
NIFLA/SoundView currently obtains CEU approval for this course/workshop from the California Board of Nursing which requires that all direct patient care courses address implicit bias in healthcare.
Definition: "Implicit bias, meaning the attitudes or internalized stereotypes that affect our perceptions, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner, exists, and often contributes to unequal treatment of people based on race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, and other characteristics. Implicit bias contributes to health disparities by affecting the behavior of physicians and surgeons, nurses, physician assistants, and other healing arts licensees." Cal. Code Regs. Tit.16, §1450
Strategy: One strategy to address how unintended biases in decision-making may contribute to health care disparities is to create a policy within the organization and to have annual training on policies. Once we know about the potential for implicit bias, we can strive to ensure all patients are treated respectfully and with the best possible healthcare. We believe that all people are made in the image and likeness of God Almighty. Therefore, we assure there is no discrimination on any basis. All pregnancy centers should have a policy like this: Pregnancy Center does not discriminate against clients on the basis of sex, race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, physical disability (including HIV/AIDS), sexual orientation, mental disability, medical condition, age or marital status.
Example: An example of how implicit bias affects perceptions and treatment decisions and, thus, leads to disparities in health outcomes is how implicit bias impacts black maternal mortality rates. The following links show this disparity:
§ How Implicit Bias Contributes to Racial Disparities in Maternal Morbidity and Mortality in the
United States by Bani Saluja and Zenobia Bryant Published Online: 2 Feb 2021 https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2020.8874
§ Working Together to Reduce Black Maternal Mortality, April 6, 2022
https://www.cdc.gov/healthequity/features/maternal-mortality/index.html
Participants are invited to read these studies and reflect on how implicit biases must be addressed and how most pregnancy-related deaths can be prevented. In addition, participants are encouraged to discuss with their administrative staff about possible solutions like mindfulness interventions and system factor solutions like helping patients with transportation vouchers for in-person visits.
*NIFLA's 2025 Leadership Summit and Clinical Intensive provides leadership training and safety effectiveness for RNs providing Limited Obstetric Ultrasound and will award CEUs as a Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #14563 for 10 contact hours. Each nurse who completes NIFLA's medical portions of the Leadership Summit will be sent a certificate to obtain their credits. All fees subject to registration policy.
