Improving communication in healthcare to reduce bias against Black patients
Modeling Professional Attitudes and Teaching Humanistic Communication to Remedy Implicit Bias and Promote Cultural Humility in Healthcare (MPathic-IBCH).
This study is working on a new training program that uses AI to help doctors communicate better with Black patients by teaching them to recognize and change any unintentional biases in their body language and tone, ultimately aiming to build trust and improve care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical Cyberworlds, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Verona, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10885000 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on addressing implicit bias in healthcare, particularly how it affects communication between physicians and Black patients. It aims to develop an innovative AI-based training system that enhances communication skills by using virtual human interactions to provide personalized feedback. The approach emphasizes understanding and modifying non-verbal and paraverbal behaviors that may unintentionally convey bias. By training healthcare providers to recognize and adjust these behaviors, the project seeks to improve trust and treatment outcomes for Black patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are Black patients who frequently interact with non-Black healthcare providers.
Not a fit: Patients who do not interact with healthcare providers or those who are not affected by implicit bias may not receive benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved healthcare experiences and outcomes for Black patients by fostering better communication and reducing implicit bias among healthcare providers.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that addressing implicit bias through targeted training can lead to improved communication and patient outcomes, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
Verona, United States
- Medical Cyberworlds, INC. — Verona, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kron, Frederick William — Medical Cyberworlds, INC.
- Study coordinator: Kron, Frederick William
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.