Ethics: Implicit Bias and Its Effects on Healthcare Delivery
Our thoughts and habits are informed by numerous external factors some of which lead to both conscious and unconscious biases. Biases come in a variety of forms including, weight, race, gender, religion, and institutional. When we know better, we can do better. But when we’re not aware, sometimes our actions can create irreparable harm, which is what medical professionals want to avoid in upholding the Hippocratic Oath and other ethical pillars.
Target Audience
ISD Clinical Staff
Learning Objectives
ANCC & Social Work Objectives:
- Define implicit bias, attitudes, and stereotypes
- Identify potential bias triggers
- Discuss the correlation of implicit bias and healthcare disparities and other potential unintended consequences
- Discuss the potential bilateral effects of implicit bias in healthcare institutions
- Discuss ways to mitigate implicit bias and the effect(s) on the delivery of quality care
Pharmacy Objectives:
- Assess personal understanding of potential bias, attitudes, and stereotypes that can potentially impact patient-directed care.
- Understand the application of mitigation strategies to alleviate the impact that implicit bias can have on delivery of care.
Program begins at 10:30am and ends at 11:30am. Total Education Time = 1 Hour(s) | ||
TIME | CONTENT | PRESENTER |
10:30 am – 10:45 am | Overview of implicit bias, attitudes, and stereotypes and potential bias triggers. | John C. Welch, MDiv, PhD |
10:45 am – 11:00 am | Review the correlation of implicit bias and healthcare disparities and other potential unintended consequences | John C. Welch, MDiv, PhD |
11:00 am – 11:15 am | Examine the potential bilateral effects of implicit bias in healthcare institutions | John C. Welch, MDiv, PhD |
11:15 am – 11:30 am | Discuss ways to mitigate implicit bias and the effect(s) on the delivery of quality care | John C. Welch, MDiv, PhD |
John C. Welch, MDiv, PhD
Rev. Dr. John C. Welch comes with a wide variety of experience in corporate, ecclesial, and higher education environments. Currently, Dr. Welch is the Senior Pastor of the Sixth Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, and the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Program Development for the Pittsburgh Pastoral Institute. Prior to this he spent almost 14-years as Vice President for Student Services, Community Engagement and Dean of Students at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.
Beyond this work, Dr. Welch has done strategic business planning and conducted seminars and trainings to church leaders, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals in the areas of ethics, burnout, moral distress, long term care, implicit bias, and institutional racism.
Dr. Welch has served as an adjunct professor of Business Ethics at the University of Pittsburgh’s Katz Graduate School of Business and the University of Pittsburgh’s Consortium Ethics Program as well as an adjunct professor of Theology at Carlow University. Currently, he sits on the Ethics Committees for a major health network and has offered his expertise in response to Covid-19 infections by designing engagement strategies to low-income communities of color and other marginalized populations including immigrants and LGBTQ, addressing vaccination hesitancy and community spread.
Furthermore, Dr. Welch has led several nonprofit boards and currently is Chair of the Board of Directors for the Gamaliel Network, an international organization specializing in faith-based community organizing, with several organizations in the metro-Chicago area. Dr. Welch has over 22-years of experience as a consultant in the field of Information Technology, 27-years in ordained ministry serving Presbyterian and Baptist congregations.
A native of Pittsburgh, John holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering & Economics, a Master of Divinity degree, and a PhD in Healthcare Ethics. He and his wife are the parents of four adults and the grandparents of three.
In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
This activity is eligible for endorsed credit for UPMC Health Plan EMTs and Paramedics. Complete ETHOS course work, obtain the attendance certificate, and submit to EMS governing body for 1 CE credit(s).
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, University of Pittsburgh is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. University of Pittsburgh maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 1 continuing education credit(s).
CCM CE will be provided: 1 CE - CCM COA will be sent via email from UPMC Health Plan nurse planner approximately 6-8 weeks following the live date of the course.
Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.
NOTE: Paramedic/EMT CE is approved for any activity in which ANCC (nursing CE) is approved. This is per Heather Bogdon and Christie Hempfling
Available Credit
- 1.00 ACPE PharmacyThe UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a Provider of continuing pharmacy education.
- 1.00 ANCCUPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
- 1.00 ASWB
- 1.00 Attendance