Unconscious bias and how it impacts delivery of care
(Originally posted on The Medical Care Blog) The global Covid-19 pandemic came with financial, emotional, and physical health implications for just about everyone worldwide. Along with those burdens, a significant strain was placed on resources, people, and systems. Issues that were lingering just beneath the surface bubbled up, inequities became highlighted, and urgent outcries and demands for swift solutions became harder to ignore. For some disadvantaged groups, however, Covid-19 served as a catalyst for welcome and much-needed changes. In fact, some groups saw an improvement in circumstances unlike anything they've experienced. Why? Two words: Unconscious bias.
The year we lost and gained it all
As I reflect on this year it’s hard to put my feelings into words so I’m going to do what any good writer does to help convey my thoughts, use emotion. In a nutshell this year has been 🦠😭💩🌪💔.
Belonging and the self-fulfilling prophecy
Unconscious bias, inclusivity, and belonging go much deeper than the familiar diversity discussion. One of my long-time mentors once said to me that diversity programs don’t work. It took me a while to process this fully, but now that I have, I agree with him. Diversity has to be infused at every level, from the very start, and at every stage in order to achieve true inclusivity. That comprises of diversity in thinking. Different thinking leads to new answers and creates new solutions to existing problems.
The waiting place - a holding pattern
I’m sure I’m stating the obvious by saying the pandemic has brought us all down in some way or another. It’s halted and effected every aspect of our lives. As much as we try to move forward in whatever capacity we can, it’s nearly impossible to do so without the ability to plan for the future. And with the future being so ambiguous for a variety of reasons, we are forced to take everything hour by hour.
Business and empathy. Can the two go hand in hand?
We’re increasingly hearing the word empathy thrown around in association with compelling and effective leadership. It seems that everyone wants to be empathic and if they don’t, they’re being pushed to be. But just like all good things it comes at a price. As a highly empathetic person I definitely see the value of this quality. It really does make me feel closer to people and vice versa. It’s what makes it possible for me to meet someone and shortly after, they profess how comfortable I make them feel in my company. I’ve heard this feedback too many times not to take heed and know it to be true. That’s all wonderful but let me tell you, it’s hard. I’ve often asked myself this question: Is there a place for empathy (and me) in the business world? The short answer is yes, but it’s excruciatingly difficult to be empathetic in a business setting. Let’s introspect why.
Life is not a bowl of cherries, but it is indeed a fruit.
As an avid lover of most fruits, I consume them with the ferociousness one would expect from a lioness who hasn’t eaten in days having that first juicy bite of meat.
Five transferrable lessons
As the world begins to forge forward in this new way of masks and social distancing and we navigate our strange new world, I can’t help but take inventory of what I’ve learned during this crisis. Painful as it’s been, I’ve come to value all the lessons this time has provided me. In the business world we hear often about transferrable skills. Think of these as transferrable lessons:
Little red hat
The other day a friend and I were discussing the current climate and how we got here. The conversation stirred up some provoking thoughts for me: Who was deemed better in a society or more worthy, and why? Also, do I want to know when people don’t like me based on a reason I can’t control like race/country or origin, or is it easier to be oblivious? I delved into some deep thinking which happens very often for an admittedly infamous overthinker.
The growing pains of change
It finally happened, today was the day I felt entirely fed up with the whole Covid-19 situation. If you read my previous post, you might remember me referring to myself as the “reformed optimist”. I’m still here deep down, but with each passing day of this pandemic I have to work harder and harder not to go too deep and lose my optimism completely.
Nice vs. kind
“I’m not nice” I told an acquaintance mid conversation. He looked at me bewildered waiting for me to say something in my own defense, so that he could continue liking me and not feel foolish for it. I have to admit I was enjoying that millisecond of anticipation and choosing my words more carefully than usual. Don’t judge me, I’m easily amused.
The Silver Lining of Tragedy
The Silver Lining of Tragedy
Before you roll your eyes and think "Great, another person trying to spray air freshener on the trash bag.” Hear me out: When tragedy strikes, we must take time to acknowledge and grieve it. Just the other night I sat and cried with my 9-year-old son while we simultaneously mourned what we’re currently missing from our lives due to the Covid-19 pandemic. While acknowledging and grieving are important, it’s equally important to force ourselves to dig out the silver linings from difficult situations. That part will be your saving grace.
An open letter about Covid
I’m writing this in the hopes of appealing to your humanitarian side. As a business and marketing professional, I’m keenly aware of the bottom line and importance of making a profit. That being said, it’s time to step up and do the right thing by filling in where gaps exist irrespective of monetary gain. During the country-wide ordered social distancing, I thought hard about ways I could personally help. I have no medical experience aside from PR and communications, so I wasn't sure how to best provide assistance. That's when I got this idea to team up with healthcare workers and hospitals and start this campaign.