Overcoming Implicit Bias and Structural Racism in Healthcare

Course overview

This course provides healthcare professionals with a practical, evidence-based explanation of implicit bias and structural racism in healthcare. Learners will explore how unconscious assumptions, stereotypes, and decision-making patterns can influence patient interactions, clinical judgment, communication, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care. Using healthcare-focused examples and case studies, the course examines how bias may affect patient experiences and outcomes across diverse populations, including individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups, pregnant and postpartum patients, older adults, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ+ patients, and patients facing social or economic barriers to care. The course emphasizes reflection, professional responsibility, and practical strategies for reducing the impact of bias in daily clinical practice.