The Unique Impacts of Implicit Bias on Emergency Medicine

Authors

• Amber Cibrario, Hilo Med Center
• Rahul Bhat, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
• Bruce M. Lo, Eastern Virginia Medical School
• Laura Oh, Emory University School of Medicine
• Deborah Diercks, UT Southwestern Medical Center
• Sarah Greenberger, University of Washington
• Joshua Davis, Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine
• David Carlberg, Georgetown University
• Christopher Sampson, University of Missouri School of Medicine
• Elaine Josephson, Weill Cornell Medicine

DOI

10.1002/aet2.70118

Journal Title

Aem Education and Training

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-2025

Department

Emergency Medicine

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

Abstract

Implicit bias refers to unconscious attitudes and associations an individual holds about others, which can impact behavior and decisions. In the emergency department (ED)—a setting characterized by unpredictable patient volumes, overcrowding, high acuity, and significant stress—physicians often face increased cognitive demands, which may heighten susceptibility to implicit bias. This can adversely impact emergency medicine (EM) patient care and outcomes, as well as the well-being of frontline healthcare providers. In this paper, we outline how specific biases can affect both patient care and physician practice. Recognizing that the ED presents unique challenges, we propose targeted solutions to address bias at the individual, institutional, and specialty levels with the ultimate aim of improving the patient care experience and promoting equity in the EM workforce.

Recommended Citation

Cibrario, A., Bhat, R., Lo, B., Oh, L., Diercks, D., Greenberger, S., Davis, J., Carlberg, D., Sampson, C., & Josephson, E. (2025). The Unique Impacts of Implicit Bias on Emergency Medicine. Aem Education and Training, 9 (6). https://doi.org/10.1002/aet2.70118