Toward Health Equity in IBD: Combating Implicit Bias in IBD Care

Toward Health Equity in IBD: Combating Implicit Bias in IBD Care is organized by Med-IQ.

Released: 2/27/2025
Expires: 2/26/2026

Abstract:
Here are the key takeaways from this activity. Deeper insights and evidence, plus an opportunity to receive credit, are available.

• In the US, 20% of adults experience discrimination while receiving healthcare
• Implicit bias often leads to differential treatment and can negatively affect patient care
• Disparities exist in IBD care including barriers to care and disparities in diagnosis and management
• Approaches to reducing implicit bias include increasing awareness and paying attention to one’s own mistaken assumptions, as well as reflecting on biased behavior that one either experiences or engages in

Statement of Need:
Healthcare disparities disproportionately affect minoritized and low-income groups, contributing to poor health outcomes. Patient-provider distrust, knowledge gaps, and lack of shared decision making contribute to health disparities in these patient groups and influence disease outcomes. It is critical for clinicians to understand the social determinants of health impacting IBD patient care and develop strategies to reduce disparities. In addition, implicit bias significantly affects clinician-patient interaction, as well as diagnosis and treatment decisions. Once clinicians are made aware of their implicit biases, they must work to overcome them and foster open communication with patients to reduce disparities and improve patient care.

Learning Objectives:
Upon completion, participants should be able to:

• Characterize implicit bias and its real-world effects on people with IBD
• Use shared decision making in treatment discussions with people from racially/ethnically minoritized groups with IBD