Final answer:
Stereotypes and preconceptions contribute to a clinician's implicit bias toward patients, influencing judgment and actions subconsciously, which is counteracted by cultural competence and open-mindedness.
Step-by-step explanation:
Which of the following can contribute to a clinician's implicit bias toward patients? The correct answer is c) Stereotypes and preconceptions. Implicit biases are unconscious attitudes or stereotypes that can influence a clinician's judgment and actions towards patients. These biases can stem from various sources, including personal experiences, societal norms, and media portrayal. Cultural competence and open-mindedness are actually meant to combat implicit biases, whereas stereotypes and preconceptions fuel them. In the context of healthcare, this can manifest as a clinician subconsciously associating certain health behaviors or outcomes with particular groups of people without individual evidence.
Confirmation bias further entrenches these stereotypes by leading individuals to seek out or give more weight to information that confirms their pre-existing beliefs or stereotypes. This kind of bias can greatly influence medical decision-making and the clinician-patient relationship. By acknowledging and actively working to counteract these biases, clinicians can provide more equitable and effective care to all their patients.