Unconscious Bias

Abstract

Unconscious biases (also known as implicit biases) are involuntary stereotypes or attitudes held about certain groups of people that may influence our behaviors, understandings, and actions, often with unintended detrimental consequences. Implicit bias appears in multiple facets of medical education, training, and promotion with negative effects on diversity and equity efforts. Notable health disparities exist among minority groups in the United States, which may partly be attributable to unconscious biases. Although there is little evidence supporting the effectiveness of current bias/diversity training programming, standardization and blinding may be helpful, evidence-based methods to reduce implicit bias.

Keywords: Dermatology; Diversity; Implicit bias; Unconscious bias.