Bias comes in all forms and from both clinicians and patients . Wound care specialist Maria Goddard , MD , CWS , FAPWCA , Goddard Medical , LLC , is a Black woman from Barbados . When she was a fellow pursuing her specialized training , she and an intern were speaking with a family member . “ The family member only addressed the intern ,” Dr . Goddard recalls . “ He was a more junior person , but he was white ,” she says .

To help reduce unconscious bias in healthcare , it helps to start with admitting the problem . “ We love to think that things have gotten better , and they have , but they ’ re nowhere near where they should be ,” Dr . Goddard says .

Now , even after many years of practice , when Dr . Goddard

introduces herself as the doctor , she continues to be confronted with bias . She gets questions from patients like , “ Are you actually a doctor ?” Black colleagues have similar stories , even sometimes mistaken for custodial staff , despite every sign to the contrary .

Patients may also have a bias against the healthcare system as a whole . “ Either they ’ ve had family members or personally felt like the healthcare system doesn ’ t listen to them , so they have a wall up ,” Dr . Goddard notes . In other words , they don ’ t trust the medical professionals , and that can have a negative impact on their health outcomes .

Unconscious bias by clinicians is also common . Studies show that clinician bias is one of several key contributing

factors related to poorer health outcomes among Black patients . 1

It ’ s important to recognize these biases on all sides , so you can help reduce their effects .

How to reduce bias When it comes to wound care specifically , here are some actions you can take to help reduce the negative consequences of unconscious bias .

• Take a step back . Medical settings can make it hard to allow time for and perspective on a patient . For instance , a clinician may immediately assume that a diabetic patient who shows up in the emergency department just doesn ’ t want to manage their blood sugar or eat better , when really it could be something out of

their control . Dr . Goddard encourages clinicians to stop and think , “ Why would this person who is dealing with this wound every single day of their lives not care as much about it as you , the person who sees them 15 minutes once or twice a week ? There has to be something deeper going on .” This thoughtful approach goes for any patient who might not be adhering to the treatment plan you ’ ve set for them . Consider modifications that take their home life into account and allow the patient to manage their wound better .

• Build trust with patients . When patients enter your care with skepticism about the healthcare system , try to show them that you ’ re on their side . Start by talking to the patient or an involved

14 Healthy Skin