Qualitative analysis of medical student reflections on the implicit association test

Implicit bias assessment by career stage in medical education training: a narrative review

Implicit biases involve associations outside conscious awareness that lead to a negative evaluation of a person based on individual characteristics. Early evaluation of implicit bias in medical training can prevent long-term adverse health outcomes related to racial bias. However, to our knowledge, no present studies examine the sequential assessment of implicit bias through the different stages of medical training. The objective of this narrative review is to examine the breadth of existing publications that assess implicit bias at the current levels of medical training, pre-medical, graduate, and postgraduate. Protocol for this study was drafted using the Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Reviews (SANRA). Keyword literature search on peer-reviewed databases Google Scholar, PubMed, Ebsco, ScienceDirect, and MedEd Portal from January 1, 2017, to March 1, 2022, was used to identify applicable research articles. The online database search identified 1,512 articles. Full screening resulted in 75 papers meeting the inclusion criteria. Over 50% of extracted papers (74%) were published between 2019 and 2021 and investigated implicit bias at the post-graduate level (43%), followed by the graduate level (34%), and pre-medical level (9.4%). Fourteen percent were classified as mixed. Studies at the medical and medical graduate level identified an implicit preference towards white, male, non-LGBTQIA+, thin, patients. Study findings highlight notable gaps within the sequential assessment of implicit bias, specifically at the pre-medical training level. Longitudinal epidemiological research is needed to examine the long-term effect of implicit biases on existing healthcare disparities.

Pedagogies of discomfort and disruption: A meta-narrative review of emotions and equity-related pedagogy

INTRODUCTION

Discussions about equity in professional education can evoke a range of complex emotions. Approaches to emotionally challenging pedagogies may vary across professions. Comparative explorations of these approaches may yield fresh insights that could enhance our teaching and learning strategies within health professions education. Therefore, the authors sought to explore how the professional contexts of medicine, nursing and teacher education approach the role of emotions in equity-related pedagogy.

METHODS

A meta-narrative approach was utilised to synthesise existing research on the relationship between emotions and equity-related pedagogy in three different professions. Six databases were searched using key terms yielding 3102 titles. After screening, 58 articles were selected for extraction. Through coding and analysis, the authors sought to gain a deeper understanding of why emotions are relevant to equity-related pedagogy in each profession, and how each profession grapples with emotional dissonance.

RESULTS

There were both contrasting and complimentary meta-narratives about emotions and equity-related learning in medicine, nursing and teacher education. All three professions viewed emotions as relevant and essential for equity-related learning. Medicine and nursing sought to make emotions accessible and explicit, while foregrounding the need for learners to build skills to understand and address emotions such as critical reflection and dialogue. Meta-narratives in teacher education were similar to medicine and nursing; however, teacher education further emphasised the role of emotions in fostering community, trust and empathy.

DISCUSSION

Existing meta-narratives regarding emotions and equity-related pedagogy in health professions suggest that medicine and nursing have acknowledged the intrinsic role that emotions play in equity-related learning yet lag behind teacher education in considering the role of emotions as a socio-cultural connector and mediator.

The Effect of Implicit Bias on the OB/GYN Residency Application Process

Background Medical students from racially minoritized backgrounds receive negative evaluations more frequently, possibly from implicit bias. Objective To determine if a preference for White applicants over Asian and Black applicants exists among resident and attending reviewers of obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) residency applications. Methods In 2021, we sampled academic OB/GYN physicians from 6 academic institutions to randomly receive questionnaire form A or B, each containing 4 contrived Electronic Residency Application Service profiles stratified by United States Medical Licensing Examination scores; institutions attended; and strength of recommendation letters into top-, mid-, and low-tiers. Form A applicants were White top-tier, White mid-tier without resilience, Asian mid-tier with resilience, and White low-tier. Form B applicants were Black top-tier, Asian mid-tier without resilience, White mid-tier with resilience, and White low-tier applicants. Both questionnaires' profiles were identical except for applicants' names and races. The primary outcome was participants' rankings of applicants from most to least desirable. Baseline characteristics of participants were compared with chi-square tests. Rankings were compared using generalized estimating equations to calculate the odds ratio (significance P<.05). Results One hundred and ninety-one were invited to participate; 109 participants started the questionnaire, and 103 ranked applicants (response rate 54%). Fifty-three participants completed form A, and 56 completed form B. No significant differences were found in participants' demographics. Participants frequently ranked White applicants significantly more highly than Black applicants (-3.3, 95% CI -3.5, -3.1) and Asian applicants (-3.3, 95% CI -3.5, -3.1). Conclusions Despite identical qualifications, a stronger preference for White applicants over Black or Asian applicants was found.

Implicit bias instruction across disciplines related to the social determinants of health: a scoping review

One criticism of published curricula addressing implicit bias is that few achieve skill development in implicit bias recognition and management (IBRM). To inform the development of skills-based curricula addressing IBRM, we conducted a scoping review of the literature inquiring, "What interventions exist focused on IBRM in professions related to social determinants of health: education, law, social work, and the health professions inclusive of nursing, allied health professions, and medicine?"Authors searched eight databases for articles published from 2000 to 2020. Included studies: (1) described interventions related to implicit bias; and (2) addressed knowledge, attitude and/or skills as outcomes. Excluded were interventions solely focused on reducing/neutralizing implicit bias. Article review for inclusion and data charting occurred independently and in duplicate. Investigators compared characteristics across studies; data charting focused on educational and assessment strategies. Fifty-one full-text articles for data charting and synthesis, with more than 6568 learners, were selected. Educational strategies included provocative/engagement triggers, the Implicit Association Test, reflection and discussion, and various active learning strategies. Most assessments were self-report, with fewer objective measures. Eighteen funded studies utilized federal, foundation, institutional, and private sources. This review adds to the literature by providing tangible examples of curricula to complement existing frameworks, and identifying opportunities for further research in innovative skills-based instruction, learner assessment, and development and validation of outcome metrics. Continued research addressing IBRM would enable learners to develop and practice skills to recognize and manage their implicit biases during clinical encounters, thereby advancing the goal of improved, equitable patient outcomes.

Reflection on near-peer shadowing program: impact on operating room student's perception of their future profession

BACKGROUND

Reflection is a key element in learning from observation and experience of future profession's roles and responsibilities in clinical encounters. Moreover, reflection helps students cope with the challenges, complexities, and uncertainties of professional development. Students' written reflections on clinical exposure offer valuable information, and their analysis provides instructors with invaluable insight into students' experiences. This study evaluated Operating Room students' written reflections on their first clinical exposure experiences towards their future profession through the shadowing program.

METHODS

This study was a qualitative analysis on Operating Room freshmen's reflections in the undergraduate program of Zahedan and Zabol University of Medical Sciences in Iran. After the shadowing program, all participants were asked to write an unstructured written reflection, and these fifty written reflections were de-identified and independently analyzed‏ using the thematic analysis approach.

RESULTS

Qualitative analysis extracted 10 subthemes and four main themes including (i) Moving towards the guiding realities of future profession, (ii) Discovering milestones of realizing professional identity, (iii) Managing the emotions affecting the perception of future profession's desirability, and (iv) Excellence in professional growth and development.

CONCLUSION

Reflecting on the experience of the shadowing program, the participants described being in the OR environment as a stimulating and valuable learning opportunity. Moreover, this experience helped improve their perception of future profession's realities, as well as initiate realization of professional identity and planning for professional developments.

Eliminating Explicit and Implicit Biases in Health Care: Evidence and Research Needs

Health care providers hold negative explicit and implicit biases against marginalized groups of people such as racial and ethnic minoritized populations. These biases permeate the health care system and affect patients via patient–clinician communication, clinical decision making, and institutionalized practices. Addressing bias remains a fundamental professional responsibility of those accountable for the health and wellness of our populations. Current interventions include instruction on the existence and harmful role of bias in perpetuating health disparities, as well as skills training for the management of bias. These interventions can raise awareness of provider bias and engage health care providers in establishing egalitarian goals for care delivery, but these changes are not sustained, and the interventions have not demonstrated change in behavior in the clinical or learning environment. Unfortunately, the efficacy of these interventions may be hampered by health care providers’ work and learning environments, which are rife with discriminatory practices that sustain the very biases US health care professions are seeking to diminish. We offer a conceptual model demonstrating that provider-level implicit bias interventions should be accompanied by interventions that systemically change structures inside and outside the health care system if the country is to succeed in influencing biases and reducing health inequities.

Interdisciplinarity, interprofessionality, and racial diversity in the anti-racist training of health professionals: voices and learnings

ABSTRACT This is a critical-reflective report on the experience of an elective course aimed at training health professionals in fighting racism. It was offered during the COVID-19 pandemic to undergraduate students from all the health subspecialties at the University of São Paulo. From the description and reflection on the proposed teaching and evaluation activities, we sought to recognize and learn/apprehend the contribution of the integration of knowledge (interdisciplinarity), professions (interprofessionality), and racial diversity in the teaching-learning process aimed at fighting racism. The perspectives of students, monitors, and teachers are reported. The support of guest teachers allowed this initiative to address racism and its influences on the health of black people, and the educational strategies encouraged students’ cultural production. The initiative proved to be a possibility for introducing changes in health education in favor of both comprehensive care and interprofessional collaboration in dismantling racism.

Interdisciplinaridade, interprofissionalidade e diversidade racial na formação antirracista do profissional de saúde: vozes e aprendizados

RESUMO Trata-se de relato crítico-reflexivo sobre a experiência de disciplina optativa voltada à formação de profissionais da saúde no combate ao racismo, oferecida aos estudantes de graduação da área de saúde na Universidade de São Paulo, durante a pandemia de Covid-19. A partir da descrição e da reflexão sobre as atividades de ensino e avaliação propostas, buscou-se reconhecer e apre(e)nder a contribuição da integração de saberes (interdisciplinaridade), de profissões (interprofissionalidade) e da diversidade racial no processo ensino-aprendizagem voltado ao combate ao racismo. São relatadas perspectivas de discentes, monitoras e docentes. A oferta da disciplina, com apoio de convidados, permitiu que o projeto abordasse o racismo e suas influências na saúde das pessoas negras e estimulou a produção cultural dos estudantes. A iniciativa mostrou-se uma possibilidade de introduzir mudanças na formação dos futuros profissionais de saúde em prol tanto da integralidade do cuidado quanto da colaboração interprofissional no combate ao racismo.

Understanding Healthcare Students' Experiences of Racial Bias: A Narrative Review of the Role of Implicit Bias and Potential Interventions in Educational Settings

Implicit racial bias is a persistent and pervasive challenge within healthcare education and training settings. A recent systematic review reported that 84% of included studies (31 out of 37) showed evidence of slight to strong pro-white or light skin tone bias amongst healthcare students and professionals. However, there remains a need to improve understanding about its impact on healthcare students and how they can be better supported. This narrative review provides an overview of current evidence regarding the role of implicit racial bias within healthcare education, considering trends, factors that contribute to bias, and possible interventions. Current evidence suggests that biases held by students remain consistent and may increase during healthcare education. Sources that contribute to the formation and maintenance of implicit racial bias include peers, educators, the curriculum, and placements within healthcare settings. Experiences of implicit racial bias can lead to psychosomatic symptoms, high attrition rates, and reduced diversity within the healthcare workforce. Interventions to address implicit racial bias include an organizational commitment to reducing bias in hiring, retention, and promotion processes, and by addressing misrepresentation of race in the curriculum. We conclude that future research should identify, discuss, and critically reflect on how implicit racial biases are enacted and sustained through the hidden curriculum and can have detrimental consequences for racial and ethnic minority healthcare students.

Implicit Bias Recognition and Management in Interpersonal Encounters and the Learning Environment: A Skills-Based Curriculum for Medical Students

Introduction

Students desire instruction in skill development to address both their own implicit biases and bias perceived in the learning environment. Curricula to date achieve strategy identification through reflection and discussion but do not provide opportunity for personally relevant skill development and practice in implicit bias recognition and management. To address this gap, we developed and evaluated a skills-based elective in implicit bias recognition and management focused on learners' own interpersonal interactions, including patient encounters, and perceived bias in the learning environment.

Method

Fifteen first-year medical students completed the nine-session elective over three annual offerings. Each session lasted 1.5 hours. Curriculum development was informed by published frameworks and transformative learning theory. Direct observation of student performances in role-plays and other active learning exercises constituted the formative assessment. Program evaluation focused on the impact of instruction through pre- and posttests, along with analysis of notes taken by the investigative team, including notes on formative assessments.

Results

Students engaged with all aspects of instruction, including role-plays. Pretest/posttest results demonstrated increased self-reported knowledge and comfort in addressing perceived bias. Formative assessment demonstrated students' skill development in safely and respectfully addressing perceived bias in the learning environment without endangering their relationships with supervisors.

Discussion

Skills developed-addressing bias in interpersonal encounters and perceived bias in clinical and teaching encounters-are relevant to learners throughout their careers. This course is relevant to medical students and trainees at various experience levels and could serve as a template for novel, skills-based curricula across health professions.