Diversity training experiences and factors associated with implicit racial bias among recent genetic counselor graduates of accredited programs in the United States and Canada.
J Genet Couns
; 31(3): 792-802, 2022 06.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35040227
ABSTRACT
Implicit racial bias in healthcare settings can impact delivery of patient care. Exploration of this bias is necessary to improve patient experiences. We sought to understand implicit racial bias among graduates of accredited genetic counseling programs in the United States and Canada in the class of 2020 as they enter the genetics workforce and assess how this bias is associated with training and life experiences. Implicit racial bias was quantified through use of the Black-White Implicit Association Test (BW-IAT). Participants also completed an online survey focused on didactic and clinical training and personal experiences with diverse populations. Participants (n = 100) were majority White (88%), and 44% demonstrated an implicit bias favoring White individuals. Respondents reported a lack of interaction with Black healthcare professionals during their training. A concerning proportion (38%) reported experiencing or witnessing racial insensitivity perpetrated by genetic counselors or physicians in supervisory roles. Graduates reported diversity coursework as significantly less effective overall than other general genetic counseling coursework. This study reveals prevalence of implicit racial bias among genetic counselor graduates, lack of exposure to diverse populations within and outside of graduate training, and concerns regarding racial insensitivity and effectiveness of didactic and clinical genetic counseling training. Employers and program directors should implement revisions to ongoing training and graduate curriculum with consideration of these findings.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Physicians
/
Racism
/
Counselors
Type of study:
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
America do norte
Language:
En
Journal:
J Genet Couns
Journal subject:
GENETICA MEDICA
Year:
2022
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States