AAOS Now highlights a recent lecture by Jo A. Hannafin, MD, PhD, Vice Chair of the HSS Institutional Review Board (IRB), about how implicit bias can affect professionals and patients, and discussed her trailblazing experience co-founding the center with Lisa R. Callahan, MD, sports medicine physician at HSS.

Dr. Hannafin recalled when the center opened, “We found that female patients came to see us because they needed someone who reflected their own gender and would accept the fact that, even at 30, they might want to exercise on a regular basis.”

In the lecture, Dr. Hannafin explained that biases commonly arise, often at an early age, from family, media, and other influences that “shape who we will be as adults.” She continued, “Whether positive or negative, these cognitive shortcuts can result in prejudgment that may lead to rash decisions or discriminatory practice.”

Dr. Hannafin advised, “Increasing opportunities with diverse people helps to mitigate implicit bias. Reach out to different individuals within your institution, through your diversity committee or medical students you work with to try to diminish your stereotyping and increase the opportunities for your own personal change as you meet other people who are not like you.”

Read the full article at AAOS.org.