2025-2027 EEH Enduring: Unconscious Bias

Course Instructions

Wednesday, January 1, 2025, 8:00 AM - Friday, December 31, 2027, 9:00 AM, Online Enduring

Unconscious bias is a universal aspect of human cognition. Neuroscientific research suggests that a significant portion of the decisions we make are influenced by unconscious processes, shaped by our prior experiences, upbringing, and the brain’s tendency to operate on autopilot. This automatic processing allows the brain to efficiently filter and manage the vast amount of information it receives, relying on mental shortcuts, or heuristics, to make quick decisions. While these shortcuts help us navigate complex situations, they can also lead to unintended consequences, such as irrational thinking and flawed decision-making. In human interactions, such biases can manifest as stereotyping, prejudice, and a lack of diversity, which can create challenges in both personal and professional environments. This course aims to help participants examine their own unconscious biases and provides practical strategies for cultivating conscious awareness in decision-making. By engaging in this process, individuals will gain tools to make more objective, informed choices. Ultimately, this course fosters a path toward greater diversity and inclusion, emphasizing the critical role each of us plays in creating equitable environments, particularly in healthcare. Understanding the influence of unconscious bias—and its potential impact on others—will enable participants to think more critically, act more intentionally, and implement meaningful change in their work and communities.

1. Discuss the importance of how unconscious bias works and the dangers it can cause others.
2. Analyze hidden preferences, assumptions and biases within one's own cognitive process.
3. Critique one's own cognition when making decisions and consciously make a shift if needed.

AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (1.00 hours), Non-Physician Attendance (1.00 hours)

Physician Credit

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Illinois State Medical Society. Endeavor Health: Edward-Elmhurst Hospitals is accredited by the Illinois State Medical Society to provide accredited continuing medical education for physicians. Endeavor Health: Edward-Elmhurst Hospitals designates this Enduring Material for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.  

Other Participant Credit

Other participants will receive a Certificate of Participation. For information on the applicability and acceptance of certificates of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by the ACCME/ISMS, please consult your professional licensing board.

Disclaimer

The recommendations contained in this resource are not intended to define conduct that is appropriate in every case, should not be considered as establishing any standard of care, and do not constitute legal advice. Physicians, clinicians and healthcare providers should take care to ensure that all care rendered reflects the best clinical judgment and complies with the laws and regulations of the state or location at which the care was provided.

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

Endeavor Health: Edward-Elmhurst Hospitals Accredited CME Program adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of an accredited CME activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers or others are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.