Racial bias in the healthcare industry has unnecessarily cost many people their lives, which is why we must actively work to correct this bias in our practice. Bias in nursing practice is a multi-layered issue, but here’s a primer on what the issue is, and how to start fighting it.

What is an implicit racial bias? 

 As defined by the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity at the Ohio State University, “Implicit bias refers to the attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner.” 

Therefore, implicit racial bias is how this unconscious manner affects how we treat people of a different race. 

Implicit racial bias affects our patients deeply. For example, in “Implicit Racial/Ethnic Bias Among Health Care Professionals and Its Influence on Health Care Outcomes: A Systematic Review” by William J. Hall, PhD; Mimi V. Chapman, PhD; Kent M. Lee, MS; Yesenia M. Merino, MPH; Tainayah W. Thomas, MPH; B. Keith Payne, PhD; Eugenia Eng, DrPH; Steven H. Day, MCP; and Tamera Coyne-Beasley, MD. 

In this study, the authors found, “Racial/ethnic bias in attitudes, such as feeling that White people are nicer than Black people, whether conscious or not, can lead to prejudicial behavior, such as providers taking more time with White patients than Black patients and therefore learning more about the White patients’ needs and concerns.” 

Of course, this is something that needs to be corrected. We must make sure we are taking care of all of our patients in the best ways possible. Below are just a few of the ways to begin working towards anti-racism in healthcare. 

How to Combat This Bias 

There are many ways to work to combat implicit racial bias. Many of our implicit biases are deeply ingrained, which makes them more difficult to unlearn. We also must be sure to continue working on anti-racism, as it is an ongoing commitment that must be made to best serve our patients, communities, and world. 

Education through Podcasts

Many podcasts have been diving into the topic of racism and healthcare, including “Beyond the White Coat,” which talks about the issue of racism in healthcare. In season 1, episode episode 5 is titled, “Racism and Medical Education: Telling the Full Story,” and episode 7 is titled, “Racial Health Disparities: How COVID-19 Magnified a Public Health Emergency.” Each of these episodes provide information about the inclusion—or lack thereof—and how we can move forward to provide a better healthcare system for everyone. 

In addition to this, “Show Me the Science” talks about the topic in an episode titled “Racism as a public health issue.” 

Read Literature About Implicit Racial Bias 

The Booklist Reader created a general anti-racism reading list, which is great for everyone. It has nonfiction and fiction books for readers of all ages. Reading more to understand the issue of racism and how to be anti-racist can help us understand anti-racism in healthcare even more. 

Specifically in healthcare, the Providence healthcare group’s library system created a reading list about racial bias in healthcare. This reading list includes information on the racism in healthcare and even the effects of racism in healthcare seen during COVID-19, which “is affecting Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and other people of color the most,” according to the COVID Tracking Project. 

Take Note of Implicit Bias in Your Actions or Thoughts 

When we continue to take note of the biases that we hold, we can work to correct them. 

Throughout the day, take note of moments where you notice or think you noticed implicit bias. At the end of the day, take a look at your beliefs, prejudices, and thoughts, each of which may have played a role in that situation. Then, ask yourself, some questions about it, such as: 

• How could I have handled that situation differently?

• Did I handle that situation the same that I would have handled it with a white person?

• Why did I handle this situation in this way? What prejudices caused me to do that? Where did those prejudices come from? In what ways can I unlearn those prejudices? 

Take Training to Unlearn Implicit Bias

Some organizations will include anti-racism training in their continuing education or initial training, but there is always more to learn. 

For example, through CEConnection, you can use programs like “Addressing Implicit Bias in Nursing: A Review,” which provides information on biases in healthcare and strategies to unlearn them, and “Underrepresentation of Racial Diversity in Simulation: An International Study,” which provides information on a lack of representation and effects of that on clinicians. 

We all know that implicit bias adversely affects our patients at every stage of their care. As patient advocates, it’s our responsibility to keep learning. We have the potential to be the first line of defense when it comes to healthcare bias.