Implicit biases are thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors toward a group or individual. There are times we are conscious and unconscious that these biases exist in our thought process. If you are curious about your biases, there are tests design to reveal them. One such test is the IAT. The IAT reveals biases that help answer the question “are we assigning or not assigning value to groups or individuals in our healthcare system?”
The IAT test design was very interesting. The test provided information I was already aware of regarding my implicit associations regarding race and sexual orientation. I took the IAT Test pertaining to Race and Sexuality (Gay/Straight). My conscious beliefs were close to matching my thoughts regarding preferences and associations.
My initial feelings about the IAT were validating. My experiences over the years have allowed me to see America’s embrace of white over black as well as the acceptance of the Gay Community. As an African American male, I understand the discriminatory practices both groups have endured in our society, yet there are still some preferences to the Gay community different than those in the African American Community. The conscious bias I have experienced about myself has been going in a store and the clerks assuming I am going to steal or that I am unable to afford to purchase an item. I have experienced being followed in the store, while my white counterpart was able to shop free of encumbrance during their shopping experience. I have also experienced being alone in an elevator with a white female standing at a distance feeling scared of being attacked or harassed and when a white male enters the elevator showing a sign of relief in her demeanor. These types of biases have been magnified through social media and media outlets. This image of the African American male as threatening and dangerous has been woven into our society.
Regarding how implicit attitudes impact a particular group, they place a significant role in the way individuals receive healthcare services. Implicit bias often coincides with the value or lack of value assigned to a particular group. This value judgement equates to inequitable services that implies the inferior group does or does not deserve the same level or quality of services. The person may or may not be aware of their bias, which contributes to a blind spot pertaining to the quality of services that population should receive.
Implicit bias pertaining to the socioeconomic status and race of a particular group regarding healthcare decisions should be utilized to improve the lives of a particular group. The fact that a bias exist registers the importance of their need being addressed. The implicit bias also points out the limited access and lack of equity provided to a particular group. Implicit biases illuminate the value or lack of value assigned to a particular group. Bias tests can assist in revealing biases that can either limit or improve healthcare decisions pertaining to every group. The key is to value everyone regardless of the race, sexual orientation background and socioeconomic status. The more conscious we become of our biases the closer we will become to an equitable healthcare system in the future.
weekly wisdom with don miller 