prof double R:   Respond to Bryson and Aimee post... | Psychology

Research Requirement:

Respond to Bryson and Aimee post while being respectful of and sensitive to their viewpoints. Consider advancing the discussion in the following ways: Post an article, video, or visual related to bias or stereotype to reinforce a peer's idea or challenge them to see their point from a different perspective. Paraphrase something from the original post. Then consider asking a question or sharing your personal experience.   Bryson Post In my own words, implicit bias is the automatic, unconscious way our minds categorize people based on past experiences, cultural messages, and learned associations. These biases often shape our reactions and judgments without us realizing it. The video We All Have Implicit Biases highlights how these mental shortcuts develop naturally as the brain tries to make sense of large amounts of information quickly. Bias does seem, in many ways, to be a product of human nature. Our brains are wired to create patterns, which helps us navigate the world efficiently. However, as helpful as this can be, it can also lead to inaccurate assumptions about individuals based on group characteristics. While bias may be natural, it is still our responsibility to recognize and challenge it. Positive and negative stereotypes both influence how groups interact. Negative stereotypes can lead to discrimination, fear, and avoidance, while positive stereotypes may appear harmless but can still create pressure, resentment, and unrealistic expectations. Both forms of stereotyping reduce individuals to simplified labels rather than recognizing their unique qualities. One population for which I hold a positive stereotype is teachers, whom I often view as patient, nurturing, and selfless. However, a teacher might feel frustrated or misunderstood if I assume they always enjoy helping others or never struggle with stress or boundaries. Even positive stereotypes can invalidate personal experiences or create pressure to live up to an idealized image. The concept of stereotypes relates strongly to emotional intelligence and social justice. Emotional intelligence involves noticing our biases, regulating our reactions, and seeking to understand others with empathy rather than assumptions. From a social justice perspective, reducing stereotyping is essential for fairness and equality. By becoming more aware of implicit biases, we can make more ethical decisions, build healthier relationships, and contribute to more inclusive communities.   Aimee Post In my own words, implicit bias is the automatic, unconscious way our minds categorize people based on past experiences, cultural messages, and learned associations. These biases often shape our reactions and judgments without us realizing it. The video We All Have Implicit Biases highlights how these mental shortcuts develop naturally as the brain tries to make sense of large amounts of information quickly. Bias does seem, in many ways, to be a product of human nature. Our brains are wired to create patterns, which helps us navigate the world efficiently. However, as helpful as this can be, it can also lead to inaccurate assumptions about individuals based on group characteristics. While bias may be natural, it is still our responsibility to recognize and challenge it. Positive and negative stereotypes both influence how groups interact. Negative stereotypes can lead to discrimination, fear, and avoidance, while positive stereotypes may appear harmless but can still create pressure, resentment, and unrealistic expectations. Both forms of stereotyping reduce individuals to simplified labels rather than recognizing their unique qualities. One population for which I hold a positive stereotype is teachers, whom I often view as patient, nurturing, and selfless. However, a teacher might feel frustrated or misunderstood if I assume they always enjoy helping others or never struggle with stress or boundaries. Even positive stereotypes can invalidate personal experiences or create pressure to live up to an idealized image. The concept of stereotypes relates strongly to emotional intelligence and social justice. Emotional intelligence involves noticing our biases, regulating our reactions, and seeking to understand others with empathy rather than assumptions. From a social justice perspective, reducing stereotyping is essential for fairness and equality. By becoming more aware of implicit biases, we can make more ethical decisions, build healthier relationships, and contribute to more inclusive communities.  In responding to Kristy and Laura post, discuss the links they have provided. What are your reactions to the resources shared by your classmates? How is the resource useful or not useful to you as a professional and scholar in this field of study?  Kristy Post My name is Kristy, and I’m a licensed mental health counselor currently serving as the Director of Quality Improvement for a health plan with membership in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. I primarily focus on our Medicaid and Exchange populations, overseeing Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) measures, population health initiatives, and provider engagement strategies. Much of my work involves leveraging data and technology to enhance care coordination, improve quality outcomes, and support value-based care. I’m pursuing my MBA in Healthcare Administration to deepen my understanding of how technology, leadership, and organizational systems intersect to advance patient-centered care. This program will help me strengthen my ability to lead teams through change, implement evidence-based strategies, and better navigate the ethical and organizational challenges that accompany health information technology in today’s complex healthcare environment. After reviewing the outcomes for IHP 600, I see a strong connection to my professional experience. The course emphasizes exploring the impact of health information technology (HIT), understanding barriers to system implementation, and evaluating the ethical implications of technology use in healthcare. These outcomes are highly relevant to my daily work, where electronic health record (EHR) integration, interoperability, and data sharing are essential but often challenging. They highlight the importance of ensuring that technology not only enhances efficiency but also upholds ethical standards and safeguards patient safety. This course is especially timely, as the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) transitions toward Digital Quality Measures (dQMs), which require direct access to providers’ EHR systems—a process that continues to present both logistical and organizational challenges. To expand on Module One’s theme, I found an article titled “Health Information Technology and Clinician Burnout: Current Understanding, Emerging Solutions, and Future Directions” (Poon, Rosenbloom, & Zheng, 2021). The authors explain how EHR design and workflow challenges can contribute to clinician burnout, and they also explore strategies to improve usability and teamwork. This reinforces the idea that successful technology implementation requires balancing innovation with empathy, collaboration, and organizational support—principles that align closely with the goals of this course and my professional work. Laura Post   Reflection on Course Outcomes The course outcomes resonate deeply with my professional experiences. The focus on understanding the impact of healthcare information technology on care delivery directly connects to the systems I interact with daily. Implementing or updating clinical information systems often requires careful management to ensure buy-in from interdisciplinary teams. The outcome emphasizing ethical decision-making through information systems is particularly important, as maintaining patient confidentiality and compliance with HIPAA regulations is a daily responsibility. Overall, these outcomes align with my interest in exploring how health information technology (HIT) can improve workflow and patient safety without compromising ethical or social standards. I am especially eager to analyze how technology supports interprofessional collaboration, since teamwork between nurses, physicians, and administrative staff is vital to providing quality, patient-centered care. Relevant Resource A recent article from HealthTech Magazine titled “How Health IT Helps Improve Patient Safety and Care Coordination” discusses how digital tools, such as EHRs and data-sharing platforms, enhance communication among healthcare professionals while reducing medical errors (Wicklund, 2024). The article highlights how hospitals are leveraging predictive analytics and interoperability to improve care coordination—key themes in Module One’s focus on the social and organizational impact of technology. This resource reinforces that successful integration of health IT requires more than technical upgrades; it demands cultural and organizational adaptation. As healthcare professionals, understanding these dynamics will help us approach technological changes holistically balancing innovation with ethics, collaboration, and patient trust.