Introduction to Bias in Healthcare
Students are drawn to the health care professions because they wish to help people. However, the health care environment and its practitioners are usually not proof against bias and discrimination. Teaching students to acknowledge and reply to bias is crucial in a clinical setting. At Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, students within the occupational therapy program use virtual reality simulations to study bias, discrimination, and microaggressions.
The Power of Virtual Reality
The simulations are a part of a brand new course, "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Professional Skills," funded by the Columbia Provost’s Center for Teaching and Learning. This course goals to reinforce diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the classroom and clinical practice. Virtual reality (VR) simulations provide a novel and effective method to teach students about bias. By using VR headsets, students can experience realistic clinical scenarios and practice addressing instances of bias in a personal, non-judgmental space.
A Personal Inspiration
Razan Hamed, PhD, associate professor of rehabilitation & regenerative medicine, created the course inspired by her own experiences with bias. She was told that her last name would likely prevent her from being offered a leadership position, despite her qualifications. This experience motivated her to fight discrimination and bias, ensuring that each one occupational therapy experts can share their talents no matter their background. Hamed believes that talking openly about bias in a gaggle setting could be difficult, and traditional lectures might not be probably the most effective method to engage students on this delicate topic.
How Virtual Reality Works
With the assistance of Columbia’s emerging technology team, Hamed found a virtual reality software system utilized in corporate settings to show DEI concepts. Using the VR headset, students are shown various clinical scenarios, including language and situations laden with bias or microaggressions. In one scenario, a white patient refuses care from a Black health care provider. In one other, a health care skilled asks an Asian colleague to work with a Chinese patient, despite the colleague being born within the United States and never speaking Mandarin. Students can adopt the role of the goal or the offender, and the avatar could have a special gender or identity than the coed. This allows students to empathize and understand what it appears like to be the goal or perpetrator of microaggressions or bias.
Practicing Responses to Bias
The students press the controller every time they think they’ve encountered bias in a scenario. Then, they’re prompted to select a plan of action. Once the scenario is over, students can compare what number of instances of bias they identified with those identified by the software and reflect privately on what they missed and the way they may respond in the event that they encountered the same situation within the clinic. The group discussion that follows helps students understand what is acceptable and what shouldn’t be in a clinical environment, preparing them for his or her roles as occupational therapists.
Conclusion
The use of virtual reality simulations in teaching students about bias and discrimination is a revolutionary and effective approach. By providing a personal and non-judgmental space for college kids to practice responding to bias, these simulations can assist future healthcare professionals develop the talents and empathy needed to offer inclusive and equitable care. As Hamed notes, "Once the scholars placed on the VR headset, they’ll experience these scenarios and practice addressing instances of bias at their very own pace… without the pressure of interacting with the teacher or classmates and articulating their thoughts on the spot." This approach has the potential to make a major impact in reducing bias and discrimination in healthcare, ultimately leading to raised patient outcomes and a more inclusive healthcare environment.
