Bias and discrimination in surgery: Where are we and what can we do about it?
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Read the article on jpedsurg.org ↗Article · Feb 2022 · 1 min read
In brief
In brief
This article examines how implicit and explicit bias affects patient care, provider interactions, and institutional practices in surgery. It defines types of bias, explores their manifestations in academic medicine, and proposes evidence-based strategies to reduce discrimination and advance equity in pediatric surgery and broader healthcare settings.
Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.
Bias is an inclination or preconceived outlook that favors toward or against an idea, person, or group. It manifests in implicit and explicit ways throughout all aspects and institutions of society. These cognitive shortcuts are often based on stereotypes and can lead to prejudice and discrimination in medicine as they mediate interactions with patients, between providers, and at the institutional level. It is important to understand the drivers and consequences of bias in order to overcome barriers to representation, equity, and inclusion. This paper provides definitions of bias; discusses its manifestations across academic medicine at the institutional and individual levels; and concludes by examining techniques to reduce bias and measure progress. Equity for patients, families, and members of the broader surgical community cannot be achieved without reducing bias and discrimination. We call for action to increase intentional efforts that reduce the influences of bias in healthcare, research, and education, particularly in the field of pediatric surgery.