Implicit and Explicit Bias in Healthcare: Understanding and Overcoming Barriers to Equitable Care

This course explores the origins, manifestations, and consequences of implicit bias in healthcare, with a focus on how unconscious attitudes can shape clinical judgment, communication, and patient outcomes. Designed specifically for practicing nurses, the content draws on current research, real-world case studies, and interactive activities to illuminate how bias intersects with systemic racism and contributes to persistent health disparities. Learners will examine the social determinants of health, recognize their own potential biases, and explore practical strategies for fostering self-awareness, cultural humility, and mindfulness in daily practice. The course also addresses organizational and policy-level interventions, emphasizing the nurse’s role in advocacy, community engagement, and advancing health equity. By the end, participants will be equipped with actionable tools to create more inclusive, equitable, and effective care environments for all patients.