Implicit Bias

Implicit bias is that subconscious tendency to associate a stereotype of a community with an individual or group. For example, a Black homeowner taking a stroll in his own neighborhood may have the police called on him because one of his neighbors thought he looked suspicious. Never mind the fact that he’s a well-respected cardiovascular surgeon who just moved his family to a new area to be closer to his elderly parents. Although I added the part about the Black homeowner being a cardiovascular surgeon, a person shouldn’t have to be considered exceptional in order to be treated with dignity and respect. For those in the medical field and others who are preparing to enter the medical field, I believe it is important for everyone to understand their own implicit bias and the negative impact it could have on their clients. I’ve listened to the conversation surrounding implicit bias and it is important for us to acknowledge that it exists. While I agree that everyone has them, I think that the consequences for some can be much more consequential than others; it can lead to negative health outcomes and even death.

 I listened to the health equity presentation and the moderator asked two healthcare providers (one Caucasian and one African American) about their experiences with implicit bias. The Caucasian speaker talked about how after she became divorced with two young children, people began to treat her differently—because she was now seen as a single mother, who also had biracial children. She said she lost the privilege that came with her marriage status. Her solution—put on a new ring (to appear married) and she was back to being treated with respect. If only we could all just put on a ring to change the way some people see us or treat us! I do not mean to trivialize her experience, but it is just vastly different than the experience of the African American speaker. Her experience with implicit bias began in her childhood and even her daughter’s childhood. At the age of 4 years old, her daughter had already internalized racism and how others may look and treat her, which dictated how she navigated through life. It is heavy and real.

When I think about myself, I make assumptions sometimes based on a person’s appearance or speech, and that is something that I am aware of. Has it caused me to treat anyone differently, I cannot say that it has and I wouldn’t want it to as a future occupational therapist (or as a person, in general). Things that I can do to examine and address my own implicit bias is complete a survey that can highlight my potential biases *), join professional conversations regarding implicit bias and health equity, and lead/advocate for inclusion and diversity within my profession. My biggest take away is that we all have implicit biases that can influence the amount of attention we give a person or how seriously we take a person. It is imperative that we continue this conversation and seek ways to make sure that our client’s and future clients have their needs met and are taken seriously, for optimal health outcomes.