Chapter 4 – Age

4.0 Age

Laurie Belknap DO and Camilla Curren MD

In this chapter, we will look at age bias.

Introduction

The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of bias and attitudinal disadvantages experienced by older adults.

a black and white phote of two elderly couples on a bench
Couple of Couples | neovain | CC BY-SA 2.0

Learning Objectives

At the end of the Age Chapter, you will learn to:

  • Identify age bias in the medical community in interprofessional relationships
  • Identify age bias in physician-patient relationships
  • Describe techniques to neutralize or ameliorate the effects of age bias
  • Describe the negative effects of age bias and discrimination when it is not recognized or addressed

Self-Exploration:

Prior to reading the Age Chapter, you will be asked to take a self-test.

  1. Read the Preliminary Information and disclaimer, then click on “I wish to proceed” to take the test.  Click to complete the Age-IAT located in Harvard University’s Project Implicit website.
  2. After taking the test, read the next section to read perspectives on unconscious age bias.
  3. You will then have the opportunity to complete a knowledge check to see if you gained a heightened understanding of age bias in health care.
  4. Use this opportunity to learn more about conscious and unconscious bias in health care, to retake the IAT test(s) and to reflect on how you can apply what you’ve learned in this chapter.

License

Perspectives on Bias in Medicine Copyright © 2018 by Camilla Curren MD. All Rights Reserved.