Cody L. McDonald, PhD, MPH, L/CPO, assistant professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, and a team of colleagues from various institutions conducted a study on racial attitudes among prosthetics and orthotics clinicians, educators, and students in the US. The study aimed to describe the implicit and explicit racial biases that may affect patient-clinician relationships. The study is online now in Prosthetics and Orthotics International.
A national survey of 454 prosthetics and orthotics clinicians, educators, and students found that while most did not show obvious (explicit) racial bias, many still had hidden (implicit) bias—especially a preference for White people. Most were “aversive racists,” meaning they believe in equality but still have unconscious racial preferences. Black participants had the lowest average racial bias. Students, clinicians, and educators were found to have similar levels of racial bias. The study highlights the pervasiveness of these hidden racial biases that may shape patient care, particularly for Black Americans.