An implicit bias among medical professionals is a significant barrier to Black participation in clinical trials, according to a new study by Dr. Altovise Ewing of the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics. The research, published in the American Journal of Public Health, highlights the underrepresentation of Black individuals in these critical studies.
Dr. Ewing and her team conducted interviews with Black patients, community members, and healthcare providers. They discovered that unconscious biases held by medical staff often led to Black patients feeling unwelcome, disrespected, and distrustful of the clinical trial process. This lack of trust, coupled with a history of unethical medical experimentation on Black communities, has resulted in a persistent lack of diversity in clinical research.
The study emphasizes the need for targeted interventions to address implicit bias among healthcare professionals. Dr. Ewing recommends mandatory implicit bias training for clinical trial staff, as well as increased community engagement efforts to build trust with Black populations. She stresses that without addressing these underlying issues, medical research will continue to suffer from a lack of diverse representation.
The findings underscore the importance of recognizing and addressing health disparities in medical research. By confronting implicit bias head-on, the medical community can work towards ensuring that clinical trials reflect the diverse populations they aim to serve.
See “How Implicit Bias is Keeping Black Americans Out of Clinical Trials” (May 20, 2024)
