Why might a person choose to go to a specialist?

If you receive a life-changing diagnosis and need to hear multiple opinions to explore treatment options, a specialist might be able to help. Chronic and rare conditions may require specialty care. Or, if you’ve been struggling with a condition that is not getting better, it might be worth seeking out a specialist.

What is an example of implicit bias in healthcare?

Some examples of how implicit bias plays out in health care include: Non-white patients receive fewer cardiovascular interventions and fewer renal transplants. Black women are more likely to die after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

How does unconscious bias affect healthcare professionals?

Unconscious bias can lead to false assumptions and negative outcomes. This is especially dangerous in healthcare, where decisions can mean life or death. This in turn contributes to health disparities, in which certain groups experience inequalities in the provision of and access to healthcare.

Why is bias important in healthcare?

Bias and discrimination occur at both the interpersonal and the institutional level of healthcare. Bias can lead to people receiving poor treatment, receiving inaccurate diagnoses, or experiencing delays in diagnosis. It can also lead to stress, which can worsen health conditions.

How does a community health nurse recognize bias?

Recognizing an inherent bias implies recognizing that one might have certain emotions towards a particular population, the presence of an individual or community, or mannerisms that need to be discussed and dealt with in order to provide the best possible treatment.

How does implicit bias affect healthcare providers?

By damaging patient-provider interactions, implicit bias can adversely impact health outcomes. For example, some providers may limit the depth of shared decision-making or explanations of medical concepts because their implicit bias tells them a patient does not have the health literacy to fully engage with her care.