At the 2025 meeting of the American Academy of Optometry, Bridget Hendricks, OD, MS, FAAO, presented on implicit bias. Here she discusses key takeaways.

Transcription: 

Hi, I'm Bridget Hendricks, and I'm thrilled to have given a talk at this year's Academy meeting, along with Dr. Janette Pepper, on a topic that impacts every single patient encounter we have as optometrists: implicit bias in healthcare.

Our lecture explored what implicit bias is, how it forms, and how it can influence the way we interact with patients. Implicit bias refers to the attitudes or stereotypes that unconsciously affect our decisions and behaviors. It’s our brain’s way of quickly categorizing information—but research has shown that these automatic shortcuts can unintentionally shape the way we communicate, diagnose, and treat our patients, leading to disparities in healthcare.

The key takeaways from our lecture are that:

• Implicit bias is unconscious.

• If you are human, you are biased.

• Bias is not a moral failing—it’s a brain habit.

In our session, we examined how these unconscious shortcuts impact patient care, and how optometrists can retrain their brains to provide more equitable, compassionate care.

We looked at compelling real-world examples from clinical settings — such as how patients perceive male and female physicians differently, how communication styles change based on a patient’s race, and how even nonverbal cues can send powerful messages.

We also showed attendees how to measure their own implicit bias using tools like the Implicit Association Test, and we discussed practical, evidence-based strategies to reduce bias and improve patient rapport, trust, and outcomes.

Ultimately, this is about awareness and empowerment. By understanding how our unconscious mind works, we can make meaningful changes that elevate the quality of care for every patient we see. OM