---
title: "Implicit Biases: Patient Safety, Risk Management, and Ethical Considerations"
description: Physicians, other clinicians, and staff who strive to treat all patients equally, and consider all patients equally, still have implicit biases that can affect patient interactions.
image: https://files.norcal-group.com/hubfs/ng5256-RM-ClaimsRx-Jan2021-cover.jpg
---

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# [***CLAIMS Rx*** DIRECTORY](https://www.norcal-group.com/claimsrx)

## RISK MANAGEMENT PUBLICATION

# Implicit Biases: Patient Safety, Risk Management, and Ethical Considerations

January 2021

This article defines, discusses the science supporting, and describes the influence of implicit bias (also referred to as “unconscious bias”) on healthcare provider interactions with patients, and the ways it affects patient safety. Case studies based on NORCAL Group closed claims are presented for reflection. Readers will recognize the obvious patient care issues that prompted the patient to file a malpractice lawsuit. What might not be so obvious are underlying implicit biases, which may — or may not — have affected patient outcome. It is impossible to tell, but worth considering.

| **CASE ONE ** Racial Bias **CASE TWO** Anti-Obesity Bias **CASE THREE & FOUR ** Gender Bias | **CASE FIVE & SIX ** Socioeconomic Status Bias **CASE SEVEN** Age Bias **SPECIAL FEATURE**  The Intersection of Healthcare Ethics and Implicit Bias |
| --- | --- |

 

**Related Topics:** [Patient Relationship](https://www.norcal-group.com/claimsrx/tag/patient-relationship), [Informed Consent](https://www.norcal-group.com/claimsrx/tag/informed-consent), [Cultural Competency & Cultural Respect](https://www.norcal-group.com/claimsrx/tag/cultural-competency-cultural-respect), [Ethics](https://www.norcal-group.com/claimsrx/tag/ethics), [Cognitive Errors](https://www.norcal-group.com/claimsrx/tag/cognitive-errors), [Communication](https://www.norcal-group.com/claimsrx/tag/communication), [Obesity](https://www.norcal-group.com/claimsrx/tag/obesity)

implicit bias, stereotypes,stereotyping,unconscious bias, implict biases, health disparities, vulnerable patient groups,healthcare ethics, health ethics, bioethics,IAT, implicit association test,implicit racial bias,implicit preferences,anti-obesity bias,anti-fat bias, weight bias,gender bias,socioeconomic bias, SES bias, age bias, ageism,implicit bias mitigation,risk management,patient safety,diagnosis,patient,health,healthcare,healthcare delivery,principlism,autonomy,nonmalfeasance,benificence,justice

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