BOC funds racial bias study

OWINGS MILLS, Md. - The Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC) has committed $30,000 to fund a study, “Racial Bias in Orthotics and Prosthetics,” the first of its kind in the O&P field. 

The study is a recipient of a 2021 American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) and Center for Orthotic and Prosthetic Learning and Outcomes/Evidence-Based Practice (COPL) Pilot Grant. 

"This research is an essential first step to reduce health disparities and improve racial equity in patient access and outcomes in O&P,” said Cody McDonald, PhD, MPH, CPO, as principal investigator. “As clinicians, educators and students, we must examine our own biases and work to minimize the impact on our patients. The first step toward more equitable care is understanding the current state of racial bias in the profession, and this is the focus of our study.”   

The study will assess implicit and explicit racial biases among clinicians, educators and students in the O&P field. Racial biases among health care providers, which are known to contribute to disparities and poor outcomes for black, indigenous and people of color, are well-documented in many areas of health care but have not yet been explored in O&P.  

Clinicians, educators and students who are not able to participate in the study but are interested in learning more about implicit bias should visit the Project Implicit Harvard University website to take the Implicit Association Test.  

"BOC is proud to be a key funder for the 2021 COPL Pilot Grant Program,” said Wayne Rosen, BOCP, BOCO, LPO, CDME, FAAOP and BOC board chair. “The 'Racial Bias in Orthotics and Prosthetics' study aligns with BOC's values and is important to our professional community.” 

Results of the study will be disseminated in early 2023.