Course description

Implicit bias is a form of bias that occurs automatically and unintentionally, and nevertheless affects judgments, decisions, and behaviors. Studies show that implicit bias among physicians and other healthcare professionals contributes to health care disparities and poorer health outcomes, especially among individuals from marginalized communities or those who are generally under-represented in the medical professions. It can be challenging to identify and mitigate implicit bias because, by definition, most people fail to recognize these types of biases unless they make deliberate and consistent efforts to identify and challenge their perceptions.

Given the unconscious nature of these biases, physicians need focused education and concrete strategies that will enable them to consistently identify and challenge implicit bias in their practice.

The state of Illinois requires physicians and other licensed healthcare professionals to complete one hour of continuing education on implicit bias awareness each licensure cycle. Physicians are up for license renewal in 2026. Get ahead of the requirements by taking this course.

Join the Illinois State Medical Society and ISMIE Mutual Insurance Company for this webinar presented by Carl Lambert Jr. M.D., FAAFP, from Rush University, to learn more about how implicit biases develop and influence decision-making and patient care, the negative effects of implicit bias, and how to effectively recognize and mitigate those effects.

Learning objectives

At the conclusion of this learning activity, participants will be able to:

• Distinguish between explicit and implicit biases
• Define implicit bias and describe the societal and personal factors that contribute to the development of implicit biases
• Describe the potential negative effects of a physician’s implicit bias on interacting with and caring for patients
• Identify strategies to recognize, interrupt and mitigate implicit bias.

Target audience

Physician and clinician policyholders

Disclosure

There are no relevant financial relationships with ACCME-defined commercial interests for anyone who was in control of the content of this activity.

CME information

The Illinois State Medical Society is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Illinois State Medical Society designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit^™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

The Illinois Nurse Practice Act rules deem CME credit provided by approved sponsors as acceptable to fulfill nursing continuing education requirements for licensure. Nurses may claim one contact hour per unit of CME in the state of Illinois.