What Should Health Professions Students Learn About Data Bias?

Abstract

In epidemiology, bias is defined as systematic deviation from the truth, and it can arise at different stages of scientific investigation (eg, data collection, methodological application, and outcomes analysis). Epidemiological bias can appear as a consequence of data bias (usually categorized as selection bias or information bias) or social bias (prejudice). Such forms of bias may occur separately or together. This article explores what health professions students should learn about the relationship between data bias and social bias-generated by racial, ethnic, gender, or other kinds of prejudice, singly or in combination-as a source of ethical and clinical concern in health care practices and policies that influence patient care and community health.