More Than Words: A Vision to Address Bias and Reduce Discrimination in the Health Professions Learning Environment

Abstract

Bias and discrimination are embedded within the history, norms, and practices of the health professions institution, and their negative impacts are pervasive in the health professions learning environment. These forces impair the ability to take care of patients, recruit and support diverse health care providers, and prepare the next generation of clinicians for practice. Fortunately, there are effective interventions and strategies for addressing bias and discrimination within learning environments and to both prevent and ameliorate their negative effects. This Perspective lays out a vision for health professions learning environments that are free from bias and discrimination and makes 5 recommendations, with supporting actions, that will help the leaders of health care institutions achieve this goal.