OVERCOME YOUR IMPLICIT BIASES TO BECOME YOUR BEST

Implicit bias is an issue that affects many areas of healthcare, including audiology. In this article we’re going to go through what an implicit bias is, why it matters and how we can combat them.

What is implicit bias?

Implicit biases are attitudes or stereotypes that we hold unconsciously and can lead to discriminatory behaviour towards certain groups of people.

What is implicit bias in healthcare and why implicit bias matters?

In audiology, implicit bias can have a significant impact on patient care. For example, research has shown that individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds are less likely to receive hearing aids than those from white backgrounds, even when controlling for factors such as age and severity of hearing loss.

How can we overcome these?

To combat implicit bias in audiology and wider healthcare, it is essential to raise awareness of the issue and take steps to address it. This includes providing training for healthcare professionals on recognizing and addressing implicit biases, promoting diversity and inclusion within the profession, and collecting data on patient outcomes to monitor for disparities.

It is also important for patients to be aware of their rights and feel empowered to advocate for themselves if they feel they are experiencing discrimination or bias in their care.

By acknowledging the existence of implicit biases in audiology and taking concrete steps to address them, we can work towards creating a more equitable healthcare system that provides high-quality care for all patients regardless of their background or identity.

We applaud efforts to raise awareness about implicit bias in audiology and healthcare as a whole, and encourage ongoing efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in these fields.

To learn more about overcoming your implicit bias, we recommend checking out the training on the Harvard business website.

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