WCLC 2021 | The importance of challenging implicit biases when providing oncology care
Jill Feldman, BS, MA, Lung Cancer Patient and Advocate, EGFR Resisters, highlights the importance of becoming more aware of and acknowledging one’s implicit biases when providing oncology care. Unconscious biases can specifically manifest under stressful circumstances and can impact the quality of care provided to patients. Most importantly, Ms Feldman stresses that anyone can hold implicit biases and that we should all strive to challenge those biases to build more intentional relationships. This interview took place at the World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) 2021.
Transcript (edited for clarity)
Implicit or unconscious biases are real. No one is immune to them, not even those of us with egalitarian goals. And they often go against what we believe to be true. But we all have them and it doesn’t mean that we’re bad people. And so I think implicit bias in general is something we should all be aware of, but in oncology care it’s dangerous, especially because they manifest mostly when we’re multitasking or under stress...
Implicit or unconscious biases are real. No one is immune to them, not even those of us with egalitarian goals. And they often go against what we believe to be true. But we all have them and it doesn’t mean that we’re bad people. And so I think implicit bias in general is something we should all be aware of, but in oncology care it’s dangerous, especially because they manifest mostly when we’re multitasking or under stress. And so I think one example just that I can provide is that you could have two people with the same disease on the same treatment at the same institution with the same doctor and there still can be a difference in outcomes. And so when I spoke about implicit bias, it wasn’t to shame anybody. I have them, I am trying to work on them, but I think we need to do more than knowing they exist. That’s not enough. Nothing will change unless we name it and address it head-on. And change doesn’t come from a place of comfort.
But I think that the important part is to recognize that implicit bias can have an explicit impact on quality care by failing to see what is at the core of a person besides those outside differences or because of those outside differences. And I know it’s impossible to separate ourselves from influence of society, but we can become more aware and we can acknowledge them and we could try and avoid stereotypes and be intentional about how we engage with each other and build trust. What we can’t do is ignore them.
Read more...
