How Gender-Related Implicit Bias Influences Patient Health

by Sarah Carlson

​Although most health professionals want what’s best for their patients, almost everyone is susceptible to implicit bias. Implicit bias refers to the tendency to internalize social expectations and stereotypes about different groups of people and then have these assumptions unconsciously shape our perceptions of others (1). While implicit bias is for the most part not intentional, it can still have a negative impact on how we interact with those around us. In the case of health and social services, implicit bias can cloud how healthcare professionals perceive patient experiences and influence the care which they provide.   

One common form of implicit bias in health and social services is the differential treatment of male and female-presenting patients. Generally speaking, most people tend to make unconscious associations regarding masculinity and femininity, and these assumptions can impact the ways in which individuals understand and treat patients. In healthcare settings, widespread assumptions about men and women, such as the idea that men are more resilient and that women are more likely to express pain, might be detrimental and lead to inadequate treatment by healthcare professionals. As a result of such biases, patient needs can be overlooked (2).

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