Implicit bias training for emergency department clinicians significantly increased staff knowledge and altered clinical practice, including EKG and troponin testing frequencies for younger women.
Observational
Does implicit bias training for emergency department clinicians improve cardiovascular care and reduce gender disparities for female patients?
Implicit bias education for emergency department clinicians improves awareness and can positively alter cardiovascular care practices, particularly for younger women.
BACKGROUND: Female patients with an acute cardiovascular event face a care disparity due to implicit bias (IB) by clinical providers in the emergency department (ED). OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate and compare the effects of IB training on clinical practice change in the cardiac care of men versus women through education on IB, comparing attitudes of clinicians pre- and post-education. The implementation of the evidence-based practice project included 30 days after education. Attitudes and perceptions of the IB training were measured with a 10-item survey and open-ended feedback on the education for future use. OUTCOMES: The Wilcoxon signed-rank test demonstrated significant increases in staff knowledge post-education. Pearson chi-square tests used to evaluate educational effects for before and after education showed that younger female patients (under 50 years of age) had evidence of pre/post differences in frequency of electrocardiogram tests and desired changes in troponin lab assessments. Before the education, evidence of gender difference disparities, except for EKG testing and troponin labs for older patients, existed. Post-education, evidence of gender differences in medications used for younger patients was also revealed. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Education on IB creates awareness potentially altering cardiovascular care positively.
Rosemary T. Babeaux (Fri,) conducted a observational in Acute cardiovascular event. Implicit bias (IB) training vs. Pre-education was evaluated on Clinical practice change in cardiac care of men versus women and staff knowledge. Implicit bias training for emergency department clinicians significantly increased staff knowledge and altered clinical practice, including EKG and troponin testing frequencies for younger women.