Implicit bias among healthcare professionals is one of many factors contributing to disparities in healthcare and health outcomes. Similar to the general population, clinicians may hold unconscious attitudes or stereotypes related to race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, weight, mental illness, and other characteristics, which can influence communication, treatment decisions, and quality of care. Although…
A patient-centered approach to clinical care is associated with improved adherence, greater patient and clinician satisfaction, increased trust, reduced anxiety, and better health outcomes. Patient-centered communication (PCC) emphasizes skills such as active listening, empathy, partnership building, and understanding patients’ experiences and social context to strengthen the clinician-patient relationship. However, disparities in PCC can occur across…
Attention to burnout among healthcare professionals has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic, with known associations of negative clinical and organizational outcomes as well as reduced quality of life. However, faculty responsible for training the next generation of healthcare professionals have received less attention, despite experiencing significant burnout. Faculty from underrepresented minority backgrounds often have additional…
In recent years, there has been growing recognition of the importance of advancing health equity. Public health nurses—who operate at the intersection of nursing and public health—are uniquely positioned to contribute to this effort. Their roles place them at the forefront of addressing the systemic and social factors that influence health outcomes. Despite the increased…
As new equity, diversity, and inclusion programs emerge in physician assistant/associate (PA) education, there is a need to assess baseline levels of implicit and explicit biases among PA preceptors’ and trainees. This article explores implicit and explicit race (Black/White) and weight (fat/thin) biases among PA preceptors and trainees and discusses potential gaps in PA preceptor…
The medical laboratory workforce plays a critical role in the US health care system, highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic by a heightened need for workers to meet drastic increases in demand for COVID-19 testing. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted and exacerbated existing medical laboratory workforce challenges. To address future demand, it is crucial to examine the…
Health centers—often referred to as federally qualified health centers or FQHCs—play a vital role in addressing perinatal inequities. However, there is limited data on how various staffing models, including the presence of certified nurse midwives (CNMs), influence perinatal outcomes. This article identifies how different health center perinatal staffing configurations—including the availability and use of CNMs—relate…
Increasing evidence shows that mental health disorders are becoming more frequent and severe among higher education students, with burnout and stress being potential contributors. For graduate health professional students, these issues are further compounded by the lack of diversity in these programs, which can impact the educational and social experiences of both majority (mainly White)…
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There has been growing interest in recent years about doula care and its role in addressing racial disparities in maternal health. Over half of the states in the US are currently exploring or in the process of implementing Medicaid coverage for doula care. During this virtual meeting our panel of experts answered audience questions about…
