Bridging racial differences in the clinical encounter: How implicit bias and stereotype threat contribute to health care disparities in the dermatology clinic

BACKGROUND: Positive interactions that build good relationships between patients and providers demonstrate improved health outcomes for patients. Yet, racial minority patients may not be on an equal footing in having positive interactions. Stereotype threat and implicit bias in clinical medicine negatively affect the quality of care that racial minorities receive. Dermatology, one of the least racially diverse specialties in medicine, further falls short in providing patients with options for race-concordant visits, which are noted to afford improved experiences and outcomes. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze implicit bias and stereotype threat in a dermatology clinical scenario with the goal of identifying actions that providers, particularly those that are not racial minorities, can take to improve the quality of the clinical interactions between the minority patient and provider. METHODS: We illustrate a hypothetical patient visit and identify elements that are susceptible to both stereotype threat and implicit bias. We then develop an action plan that dermatologists can use to combat stereotype threat and implicit bias in the clinical setting. RESULTS: The details of an action plan to combat the effect of stereotype threat and implicit bias are as follows: 1) Invite practices that increase representation within all aspects of the patient visit (from wall art to mission statements to creating a culture that embraces difference and not just diversity); 2) employ communication techniques targeted to invite and understand the patient perspective; and 3) practice making empathic statements to normalize anxiety and foster connection during the visit. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of stereotype threat and implicit bias and their sequelae, as well as an understanding of steps that can be taken preemptively to counteract these factors, create opportunities to improve clinical care and patient outcomes in racial minority patients.