Transforming Unconscious Bias Within Ourselves: A Mindfulness Based Approach

Date

2025-04-22

Overview

Unconscious biases are automatic associations that can negatively impact how we perceive, evaluate, and interact with people different from ourselves.  It can contribute to unconscious and unintentional inequities in medical education and patient care. Managing unconscious bias effectively requires increasing awareness of our automatic reactions and building skills to address biases with compassion.   In this webinar, presenters will utilize research-backed mindfulness practices to uncover unconscious biases and learn techniques to work through them skillfully. The webinar will have two main components:  an “exploring difficulty” mindfulness exercise will guide participants to notice bodily sensations, emotions, and thoughts that arise in response to potentially charged prompts related to identity and bias. This raises self-awareness of automatic reactions; and applying the RAIN mindfulness method (Recognize, Accept, Investigate, Nurture) to self-reflect on a challenging reaction that arose during the first exercise. This practical experience provides opportunity working with unconscious biases without judgment.    Participants will gain insight into their unconscious biases as well as build skills for addressing biases within themselves and in medical education. The ultimate goal is greater awareness, wisdom, and equity.

Speakers

• Istri Modak, MD

Content Track

• DEI

Audience

• UME, GME

Program Type

• Community-Based, University-Based