Exploring implicit bias among ENT surgeons: an analysis of the implicit association test

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the presence of implicit bias among ENT surgeons and explore the impact of the results of the Implicit Association Test on the surgeons' behaviour towards patients.MethodSeven ENT surgeons who were not black, Asian or minority ethnic were asked to complete the Race Implicit Association Test. The surgeons also completed a survey about their perceptions of their implicit biases and the impact of the Race Implicit Association Test results on their behaviour towards patients.ResultsThe mean Race Implicit Association Test score for the ENT surgeons suggested a slight bias that favoured white over black people. Furthermore, 42 per cent of the surgeons thought that they had hidden or unconscious racial bias, 42 per cent said they would change their behaviour towards patients after receiving these results and 85 per cent thought that the Race Implicit Association Test was helpful for appraisal purposes.ConclusionThe results suggest that ENT surgeons who are not black, Asian or minority ethnic may have implicit biases towards black patients. These findings highlight the need for interventions to reduce implicit bias among ENT surgeons and improve healthcare outcomes for marginalised populations.