Michal J McDowell1, Hilary Goldhammer2, Jennifer E Potter3, Alex S Keuroghlian4. 1. Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA. 2. National LGBT Health Education Center at The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA. 3. Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA. 4. Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; National LGBT Health Education Center at The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA. Electronic address: akeuroghlian@partners.org.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Implicit bias is an ingrained, unconscious cultural stereotype that can negatively affect a person's interactions with members of stigmatized groups, including sexual and gender minorities. Clinician implicit biases may negatively impact the quality of patient care. METHODS: This article uses 4 case scenarios to illustrate how implicit bias among psychiatrists and other clinicians can affect patient-clinician communication and diminish the quality of health care provided to sexual and gender minority people. We offer strategies for clinicians to recognize, challenge, and address implicit bias. DISCUSSION: Through continuing education, self-reflection, and practice, psychiatrists and other clinicians can improve communication and foster more affirming care experiences for their sexual and gender minority patients, with the goal of addressing and ultimately eliminating sexual and gender minority health disparities.
BACKGROUND: Implicit bias is an ingrained, unconscious cultural stereotype that can negatively affect a person's interactions with members of stigmatized groups, including sexual and gender minorities. Clinician implicit biases may negatively impact the quality of patient care. METHODS: This article uses 4 case scenarios to illustrate how implicit bias among psychiatrists and other clinicians can affect patient-clinician communication and diminish the quality of health care provided to sexual and gender minority people. We offer strategies for clinicians to recognize, challenge, and address implicit bias. DISCUSSION: Through continuing education, self-reflection, and practice, psychiatrists and other clinicians can improve communication and foster more affirming care experiences for their sexual and gender minority patients, with the goal of addressing and ultimately eliminating sexual and gender minority health disparities.