State Requirements for Implicit Bias Training

Several U.S. states have recognized the impact of implicit bias on healthcare delivery and have instituted mandatory training for healthcare professionals:

• Michigan: In 2021, Michigan mandated implicit bias training for approximately 400,000 healthcare professionals as a condition for licensure renewal. This initiative aims to address racial disparities in healthcare outcomes. However, it has faced legal challenges; for example, a retired dentist sued the state, arguing that the training was ideologically driven and beyond the state's authority. 
• Maryland: Since 2022, Maryland requires all healthcare professionals to complete implicit bias training, focusing on reducing disparities in maternal morbidity between Black and White women. This move has sparked controversy, with some professionals expressing concerns about the training's content and implications.
• Kentucky: Effective July 1, 2022, Kentucky mandates that registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and advanced practice registered nurses complete a minimum of 1.5 contact hours in implicit bias education as part of their continuing competency requirements.
• Washington: The Washington State Department of Health requires healthcare professionals to undergo health equity education, which includes components on implicit bias, to ensure equitable healthcare delivery across diverse populations.

Pedagogy's Implicit Bias Courses

Pedagogy Education offers a suite of courses designed to meet state-specific requirements and educate healthcare professionals on recognizing and mitigating implicit biases:

1. Health Equity Education for Washington Nurses

   • Contact Hours: 2
   • Price: $24.00
   • Overview: Tailored to Washington state requirements, this course explores how implicit bias affects healthcare delivery and provides strategies for fostering health equity.

2. Implicit Bias in Healthcare

   • Contact Hours: 1
   • Price: $12.00
   • Overview: A foundational course that defines implicit bias, examines its impact on patient care, and offers methods to reduce its influence in clinical settings.

3. Implicit Bias Education for Kentucky Healthcare Professionals

   • Contact Hours: 1.5
   • Price: $18.00
   • Overview: Specifically designed to meet Kentucky's licensure requirements, this course addresses the historical and current impacts of bias in healthcare.

4. Implicit Bias in Healthcare – Two-Hour

   • Contact Hours: 2
   • Price: $24.00
   • Overview: An extended version of the foundational course, offering deeper insights into evaluating and addressing implicit biases in healthcare environments.

5. Implicit Bias for California Healthcare Professionals

   • Contact Hours: 1
   • Price: $12.00
   • Overview: Tailored for California healthcare providers, this course aligns with state-specific guidelines on implicit bias training.

6. Implicit Bias Education for Michigan Healthcare Professionals

   • Contact Hours: 2
   • Price: $24.00
   • Overview: Designed to fulfill Michigan's mandatory training requirements, focusing on recognizing and mitigating implicit biases in clinical practice.

Understanding and addressing implicit bias is crucial for healthcare professionals committed to delivering equitable and effective care. By engaging in targeted education and self-reflection, providers can enhance patient outcomes and contribute to a more inclusive healthcare system.