Date of Graduation

Spring 5-18-2023

Document Type

Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

College/School

School of Nursing and Health Professions

Department/Program

Nursing

Program

Executive Leader DNP

First Advisor

Dr. Mary Bittner

Second Advisor

Dr. Elena Capella

Abstract

Abstract

Background: Extensive research evidence demonstrates that implicit bias can lead to differential treatment of patients based on race, gender, weight, age, income, language, and insurance status. Evidence-based interventions that couple implicit bias mitigation with therapeutic communication skills can contribute to the delivery of equitable care.

Local Problem: Implicit bias in healthcare occurs when unconscious behavior that is not favorable to the patient population served perpetuates unequal treatment and contributes to poor healthcare outcomes.

Methods: Knowledge of implicit bias in the nursing staff was assessed through a validated and reliable survey tool before and after participation in an online LMS educational program, followed by the same survey tool 90 days post-education. A one-sample t-test was used to determine the statistical significance (p

Interventions: A one-hour educational curriculum on raising implicit bias awareness was administered to staff nurses in three hospital service lines.

Results: Implementing online implicit bias education showed minimal but not statistically significant improvement in raising staff awareness of their own implicit biases.

Conclusions: Online education is insufficient in addressing the multi-faceted social issue grounded on new and emerging research that has been published regarding simulation-based education in the past year.

Keywords: Implicit association test, implicit bias, healthcare disparities, nursing education, patient-provider communication.

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