Communication between healthcare professionals and patients is a key element of quality healthcare. Prejudices and stereotypes influence the perception of the other person, the way of interaction and the quality of information transfer. This paper focuses on the role of biases in health communication, their impact on the healing process and ways to eliminate them.

The concept of "normality" is shaped by cultural, social and institutional factors. People automatically judge others based on first impressions; the resulting image shapes the view of the other person and influences the way we communicate with them. Prejudices can cause an underestimation of a person's communication and cognitive abilities and lead, for example, to "elderspeak" in the elderly.

As part of the Breaking Fences project, which aims to raise awareness of prejudice through educational programmes for students and healthcare staff, pilot research has been carried outinto patients' prejudices towards young healthcare and social care staff. Methods: Young health and social care workers were encouraged to reflect on the perceived prejudice against them in work and its intensity, which they expressed through their signatures for each type of prejudice.

Data: Data were collected from 79 individuals aged 20-25 years and analysed. Results: The highest level of prejudice was perceived in the area of young professionals' low age and lack of experience (92% of respondents). Prejudice towards their ability to express themselves verbally and communicate effectively was felt by 45% of respondents, and prejudice due to dialect or accent was identified by 35% of respondents.

The need for health professionals to self-reflect, validate their own impressions and respect individual patient preferences may contribute to the development of more effective and empathetic health communication.