A Novel Communication Rating Scale to Mitigate the Effect of Implicit Bias

Can the Respect, Empathize, Listen, Ask, Talk, and Engage (RELATE) rating scale produce a valid, reliable, and consistent evaluation of clinician communication to reduce the negative influence of implicit bias?In this cross-sectional study of 123 resident physicians and doctor of nursing practice students in a simulated environment, psychometric assessment of the RELATE rating scale demonstrated good interrater reliability, construct validity, and internal consistency with bias-interrupting constructs of communicating with respect and empathy, balancing listening with talking, and engaging in partnership with patients.The RELATE rating scale may inform the evaluation of implicit bias recognition and management training and its association with clinician communication skills.

Corresponding Authors: Jennifer Tjia, MD, MSCE, Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences (jennifer.tjia@umassmed.edu), and Chengwu Yang, MD, MS, PhD, Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences (chengwu.yang@umassmed.edu), UMass Chan Medical School, 55 N Lake Ave, AS6-2065, Worcester, MA 01605.

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