Kohi
Soto
By recognizing the origins and manifestations of implicit bias, radiologists can work toward improving connections with colleagues and providing the best environment for patient care.
That was the message of presenters of the RSNA 2020 Special Interest Session, "Exposing Our Blindside and Overcoming Unconscious Bias," sponsored by the RSNA Committee on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
"One of the best parts of medicine is taking care of a diverse group of patients from various backgrounds," said Maureen P. Kohi, MD, an associate professor of clinical radiology and chief of interventional radiology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). "By understanding our own unconscious bias and learning from our colleagues through such discussions, we can be better equipped to take better care of our patients."
Opening presenter Jamlik-Omari Johnson, MD, an associate professor of radiology and imaging sciences at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, defined unconscious – or implicit – bias, and presented professional and social examples that might not immediately come to mind.
"At this point, we're very familiar with bias related to race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age and ability, but there are a number of other types of biases that may not be as commonly understood," Dr. Johnson explained. He presented examples of biases related to factors including social affinity, height and perceived beauty.
Working to Mitigating Bias
Unconscious bias does not exist only in majority populations, as demonstrated in subsequent presentations.
"Girl Talk: Unconscious Bias Through the Female Lens," explored biases that women may carry through to their profession, while "Does Unconscious Bias Spare the Minority?" introduced the concept of "system justification," in which long-standing oppression can lead to acceptance or rationalization of negative attitudes to preserve the status quo.
A presentation by David M. Naeger, MD, director of radiology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, discussed how stereotypes about the LGBTQ community can affect how clinicians treat patients, colleagues, and society as a whole.
Vishal Kumar, MD, an associate professor of clinical radiology at UCSF, discussed how biases can affect the recruitment process for physicians. Closing remarks by 2015 RSNA president Ronald Arenson, MD, reflected on the ways unintentional bias exists to some extent in all people and how radiologists can strive to recognize this and work toward positive change.
Presenter Jorge Soto, MD, chair of the Department of Radiology and professor of radiology at Boston University School of Medicine encouraged radiologists to take lessons from the session back to the work setting.
"I hope attendees approach this session with the willingness to apply some of the concepts to their own interpersonal relationships at work," Dr. Soto said. "I also encourage the more senior attendees to find ways to positively affect the sensitivity of their junior colleagues and trainees around the important topic of unconscious bias."
"As we strive to practice our specialty with high standards of professionalism, it is important to remind ourselves that we all have unconscious biases that affect our interactions with others, including patients," Dr. Soto continued. "These presentations help us understand and mitigate those biases."
Dr. Kohi also stressed the importance of radiologists sitting down and talking about these issues.
"I was thrilled to see the depth and breadth of the topics covered and am excited to learn from my colleagues," Dr. Kohi added. "This speaks to the commitment and dedication of RSNA for wanting to discuss these challenging and important topics. This is how we invoke change!"
For More Information:
View the RSNA 2020 session Exposing Our Blindside and Overcoming Unconscious Bias (Sponsored by the RSNA Committee on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) — SPSI23 at RSNA2020.RSNA.org.
