IMPLICIT BIAS TRAINING REQUIRED FOR LICENSURE The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) announced the Public Health Code – General Rules have been revised to require implicit bias training for physicians and licensees in 24 other health care professions, effective June 1, 2022. This action is the result of an Executive Directive issued in July of 2020. The requirements apply to both new applicants, as well as, those renewing their existing licenses or registrations. An applicant for license renewal shall have completed a minimum of one (1) hour of implicit bias training for each year of the applicant’s license or registration cycle. An applicant for new licensure shall have completed a minimum of two (2) hours of implicit bias training within the five (5) years immediately preceding issuance of the license or registration. The term “implicit bias” is defined as: An attitude or internalized stereotype that affects an individual’s perception, action or decision-making in an unconscious manner, and often contributes to unequal treatment of people based on race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, age, disability or other characteristic. (R 338.7001 (c)) The rules outline that content must include: • Information on implicit bias, equitable access to health care, serving a diverse population, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and cultural sensitivity. • Strategies to remedy the negative impact of implicit bias by recognizing and understanding how it impacts perception, judgment, and actions that may result in inequitable decision making, failure to effectively communicate, and result in barriers and disparities in the access to and delivery of health care services. • The historical basis and present consequences of implicit biases based on an individual’s characteristics. • Discussion of current research on implicit bias in the access to and delivery of health care services. Training must include strategies to reduce disparities in access to and delivery of health care services, and the administration of pre- and post-test implicit bias assessments. Acceptable sponsors of this training include nationallyrecognized or state-recognized health-related organizations, a state or federal agency, accredited college or university or an organization specializing in diversity, equity and inclusion issues. Acceptable modalities of training are a teleconference or webinar that permits live synchronous interaction, a live presentation or an interactive online instruction. While the rule becomes effective on June 1, 2022, the implicit bias training requirement must be fulfilled prior to the 10 The Bulletin | Summer 2021
next renewal date. Anyone who renews prior to June 1, 2022, will not have to complete the training requirements until their next renewal. Any renewals after June 1, 2022, will need to complete the training requirements. Any training completed after June 1, 2021, will count toward the new requirement, as long as all the criteria above is met. LARA is still finalizing an FAQ document with additional information. The SCMS will share as soon as that information is released. Implicit Bias Training is not yet available, but will be shared as soon as finalized. In the meantime, please send any questions you may have about these revised rules to BPLHelp@michigan.gov. Thank you, Debra Gagliardi, Director Bureau of Professional Licensing Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
MSMS: A Day of Board of Medicine Renewal Requirements Webinar Note: Implicit Bias Training is not yet available, but information will be shared as soon as finalized. Description: Completion of this webinar fulfills LARA's requirement for three (3) hours in the area of pain and symptom management, one (1) hour in the area of medical ethics, one-time license requirement for human trafficking training and one-time license requirement for opioids and other controlled substances awareness training standards for prescribers and dispensers of controlled substances. Earns: Five (5) CME Credits Disclosures: Speaker(s): • Carl Christensen, MD, PhD, D-FASAM, FACOG, cMRO, does not have relevant financial relationships. • Ronald Chapman, II, ESQ, does not have relevant financial relationships. • Dena Nazer, MD, FAAP, does not have relevant financial relationships. • Michael Redinger, MD, MA, does not have relevant financial relationships Planner(s): • Rebecca Blake does not have relevant financial relationships. • Beth Elliott does not have relevant financial relationships. continued on page 11
