Unconscious Bias in Medicine
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Centering in the Margins: Including and tending to the perspectives of those who have been historically marginalized which is very relevant to the work of palliative care.

A physician on what is needed to build towards more racially concordant care.

The healthcare community has an obligation to address that HC system is inhererently racist.

A physician’s advice for parents who feel they are experiencing bias or discrimination

The mother of a medically complex child’s advice to clinicians: Don’t call me ‘mom’ … Don’t ask me questions you can find answers to in the chart … and then some.

“My race does play a role in my need to strive to be overly on top of information. I want to be taken seriously as Jackson’s advocate.”

Marginalized populations struggle to be seen and heard. They have to fight that fight first before they can be seen as parents.

A Black couple reflects on unconscious bias in medicine: “I shouldn’t have to start flashing all these badges in order for you to respond.”

A mother on what it takes to get listened to by your child’s physician

Health equity work: We have to start with ourselves and recognize that we all hold ‘isms.’

Finding my voice as my daughter’s mother. “Yes, I’m angry, and it just happens I’m black, and a woman. Here I am.”

A parent’s advice to clinicians re Unconscious Bias: “See people as these unique, beautiful beings, learning from them, and giving them that respect.”

Health Equity work is like a spiritual calling for me.

A physician on talking honestly about unconscious bias in the medical system: As people, we all have biases.

Gravitating towards the familiar in identity: “As clinicians, we may not even recognize that we’re treating these two families different.”

“To do health equity work, we have to be comfortable with being uncomfortable… and that’s hard in systems where we’re expected to be experts.”

A pediatrician on how clinicians can help families feel seen and heard: 1) accept our unconscious bias and 2) listen

It’s not a family’s responsibility that we be comfortable as clinicians.

A Black Palliative Care Physician’s Messages to Parents of Color and to Colleagues

Some parents lack the courage to speak up. But these kids need people to speak up, protect and advocate for them.
