Physicians Hold Implicit Biases About Women With Cervical Cancer

Abstract

The present study examined healthcare professionals' implicit prejudice and stereotyping toward cervical cancer versus ovarian cancer. Although prior research has looked at physician bias and its potential effects on the treatment of patients, there is a deficiency in research specifically looking at a bias toward cervical cancer patients. This study aimed to answer the question of whether or not a bias toward cervical cancer versus ovarian cancer exists and if this bias is moderated by any variables. This study used two implicit association tests (IAT) to determine if physicians are more likely to implicitly associate cervical cancer with feelings of anger (prejudice) and risky health behavior (stereotypes), compared to ovarian cancer. Motivation scales were also utilized to determine internal and external motivation to respond without prejudice. The results were analyzed through conversion of the response times to D scores and determination of the significance. It was concluded that prejudice was present without any moderators, while age was found to be a significant predictor of stereotyping