NASS speaker calls on physicians to take action to reduce bias in health and health care
Recognition, self-assessment, feedback and engaging with people who are different can help reduce bias in health and health care, the 2019-2020 president of the North American Spine Society said.
During his presidential address at the society’s virtual annual meeting, these were among some of the steps NASS President William J. Sullivan, MD, implored spine surgeons, spine specialists and everyone to take to combat bias.
“As NASS continues its work in the U.S. and across the globe, I hope we will continue to address diversity, equity, inclusion and bias on a personal and organizational level,” he said. “I believe we can do better.”
Sullivan said he has kept informed about issues related to diversity, equity, inclusion and bias, and noted that NASS created a diversity and inclusion task force during his presidential year.
“One of the things we deal with every day is bias,” Sullivan said.
He offered other suggestions for doing “better” during his speech.
Sullivan said, “Accept that you have [bias]. We all do. Develop a capacity to use a flashlight on yourself, looking at things that you may do that would be based on bias.”
He encouraged greater awareness of unconscious bias, which is fueled by what individuals learn during their lifetimes and then apply unconsciously to people who may be different.
“You may ask, what does this have to do with medicine and spine care. Actually, we’re taught to hone skills that may support our unconscious biases. Pattern recognition is one area,” he said, noting people have a tendency to see patterns or only see what they are seeking. Physicians, for example, may see patterns in patients and their conditions and then draw conclusions based on any observed similarities, Sullivan said.
Sullivan, of Vanderbilt University, also suggested engaging in the practice of constructive uncertainty when it comes to issues of diversity, equity and inclusion. This means assuming one’s opinion is incorrect, he said. “It remains important to question our thoughts, ideas and decisions and to also ask for opinions and honest feedback, again, from those different than us.”
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Sullivan WJ. NASS 2020 presidential address. Presented at: North American Spine Society Annual Meeting; Oct. 6-9, 2020 (virtual meeting).
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