PROVIDER BIAS:
A general term used to describe any biases attributed to a healthcare provider, at the institutional or individual level (e.g. hospital, doctor, clinic etc.), that may affect the care or treatment of a patient, or group of patients1,2. Also defined as the practice of favoring some methods and discouraging others, in the absence of sound medical rationale, as well as failing to ascertain and respect a patient’s or client’s preferences, when treating a patient3.
Provider Bias may also be used as an alterative term to describe Clinician Bias; when the provider is an individual vs. an organization. The term Provider Bias is non-specific, as it can refer to a broad range of implicit and cognitive biases. Also see: Implicit Bias, Cognitive Bias, and Clinician Bias.
References:
1. Solo J, Festin M. Provider Bias in Family Planning Services: A Review of Its Meaning and Manifestations. Glob Health Sci Pract. 2019;7(3):371-85. (Link to Reference)
2. Nandi M, Moore J, Colom M, Quezada A, Chary A, Austad K. Insights Into Provider Bias in Family Planning from a Novel Shared Decision Making Based Counseling Initiative in Rural, Indigenous Guatemala. Glob Health Sci Pract. 2020;8(1):10-7. (Link to Reference)
3. Bertrand JT, Hardee K, Magnani RJ, Angle MA. Access, Quality Of Care and Medical Barriers In Family Planning Programs. Int Fam Plan Perspect.1995;21(2):64-74. (Link to Reference)