Implicit bias toward cervical cancer: Provider and training differences

Abstract

One-hundred seventy-six (132 female, 43 male, 1 nonresponse; X¯age = 39.18 years, SDage = 10.58 years) providers were recruited and the final sample included 151 participants (93 physicians and 58 nurses, X¯age = 38.93, SDage = 10.59). Gynecologic oncology providers showed significant levels of implicit prejudice, X¯ = 0.17, SD = 0.47, 95% CI: (0.10, 0.25), toward cervical cancer patients. They also showed significant levels of implicit stereotyping of cervical cancer patients, X¯ = 0.15, SD = 0.42, 95% CI: (0.08, 0.21). Whereas physicians did not demonstrate significant levels of implicit bias, nurses demonstrated greater levels of implicit prejudice and implicit stereotyping. Providers without cultural competency/implicit bias training demonstrated greater bias than those who had completed such training (p < .05).