Wisconsin Alliance for Women's Health
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A Guide to Ensuring Unbiased Care in Women's Reproductive Health

A Guide to Ensuring Unbiased Care in Women's Reproductive Health

Implicit bias in reproductive health care
The field of reproductive health care suffers with clear and documented health disparities. In fact, in a country with a history of supporting eugenics programs and forced sterilizations, reproductive health care is perhaps one of the areas in which bias has been most troubling. It was just two decades ago when recipients of state welfare benefits were given cash bonuses for getting Norplant, a 5-year contraceptive implant, and one decade ago when inmates in California were coerced into sterilization. - Dr. Baltrushes-Hughes
​Physicians, physicians assistants, nurses, and anyone else who has direct contact with patients, plays a key role in shaping the state of women’s health. Therefore, it is crucial that they have a full understanding of past and present disparities that continue to impact reproductive health care.

The United States has long and tragic history of reproductive oppression among women. In response to the experience of many women of color and marginalized communities throughout the years, a Reproductive Justice Framework was created with an aim to eliminate inequalities and other factors that limit women’s ability t
o control these rights.

These disparities, although already harmful in nature, pose an even greater threat when reinforced by providers. Whether this reinforcement is explicit or implicit, obtaining an awareness about these disparities is the first step to achieving equality. Disparities in the practices of administering birth control, emergency contraception, and abortion are a just a few of the important topics analyzed in this guide. 


This guide aims to address the latter by providing tools and examples that allow one to analyze his or her own role in health care as it applies to Reproductive Justice.

Each topic is presented with historical context, case studies, and self reflection tools in order to allow one to think critically about his or her own patients and become mindful of the ways in which he or she practices.


Assessing Unconscious Bias

​
  • Understanding the underlying biases that manifest in health care settings is critical to addressing the disparities in women’s health outcomes in Wisconsin.
  • In 2003, The Institute of Medicine concluded that unconscious bias against certain groups may jeopardize the communication or quality of care provided to those patients.
  • Therefore, in order to mitigate these impacts, health care professionals have an obligation to evaluate the care they provide through exploration of their own implicit biases.
  • Researchers at Harvard University, The University of Washington, and University of Virginia developed the Implicit Association Test, which is one of the most well known and widely accepted utilities for assessing unconscious bias.​

Topic Guides

Women's Reproductive Health Topics
  • ​​​Birth Control
  • Emergency Contraception
  • ​​Abortion 
  • Prenatal Care
  • Breastfeeding
  • Birth Outcomes​​
  • ​Crisis Pregnancy Centers​

Please feel free to share some of your own experiences, as well as any comments or suggestions. 
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Take the Test!

Tips for Communication

  • Honest, non-judgmental conversation can help create mutual understanding between patients and physicians
  • Refer to a woman in a singular context as opposed to referring to groups of “women," the singular title personalizes the issue and avoids the use of stereotypes
  • When discussing divisive issues, using the word “decision” is better than “choice” because it connotes the thoughtfulness with which it is made
  • When discussing abortion with a patient, use the terms “safe and legal” to present abortion in a neutral light
  • Be in tune with patients' lives outside of the medical environment in order to provide health care plans that are realistic and comprehensive
  • Incorporate language that is culturally and gender sensitive
  • When recommending birth control, provide a comprehensive list of options
  • Avoid using "I think" statements
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  • Home
  • About
    • Our Initiatives >
      • PATCH
      • ECCHO WI
      • ECCOS
      • Wide Awake in Wisconsin
      • Policy Rx: Our Policy Vision
      • Wisconsin Women's Health Advocacy Summit
      • Health Professionals at the Forefront >
        • Unbiased Care in Women's Health
      • Women Win With the ACA
    • News
  • Take Action
    • Vote! >
      • Vote Early!
      • OutreachCircle
    • Census 2020
    • Know Your Legislators >
      • Meeting with Legislators
    • Media Advocacy
    • Policy Watch >
      • Peek at Policy Blog
      • Democracy & Accountability
      • 2021 Legislative Session Review >
        • Legislator Vote Record 2021-22
      • 2019 Legislative Session Review >
        • Legislator Vote Record
      • Executive Blueprint
      • Health Programs >
        • WI Well Woman Program
      • Economic Security >
        • Paid Family Medical Leave
      • Violence Against Women
      • Reproductive Health >
        • Post Roe Abortion Access
        • SCOTUS
        • Truth
        • Timeline of Reproductive Health Threats in WI
        • RESPECT Women Act
        • "Personhood"
        • Pelvic Exam Consent
      • Maternal & Child Health >
        • Momnibus Act
        • Postpartum Medicaid Coverage Expansion
        • Black MCH Justice
        • Healthy Women Healthy Babies
        • Community Based Doulas
        • WI "Cocaine Mom" Law
        • Patient Privacy & Confidentiality
      • State Budget
      • Health Care Reform >
        • Medicaid Expansion
  • Resources
    • Health Care Coverage
    • Resources to be a White Warrior
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Public Charge Rule
    • Reproductive Justice
  • Connect
    • Events >
      • WI Women United for a Better Budget
      • Belly of the Beast Film Discussion
      • WI Women's Health Congress
  • Support Us
    • Why Support Us?
    • Donate >
      • Foster the Future
    • Shop & Support
    • Workplace Giving
    • Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls
    • The Big Share
    • Day In My Shoes
  • #KindnessIsEverything
  • Shop
    • Kindness Is Everything Wholesale