Racism in Medicine Conference: A Student-Led Health Professional Event Cultivating Anti-Racism Education through Safe Spaces
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65539/gm46w658Keywords:
racism in medicine, medical education, health disparities, safe spaces, anti-racism, student-led initiativesAbstract
Medical schools around the US recognize the importance of reform in medical education, as well as the pervasive role of racism and health disparities in medicine. The 2019 Racism in Medicine Conference (RiMC) hosted by Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (CMSRU) is an example of a medical student-led initiative centered on education and advocacy through the implementation of safe spaces. Pre- and post- survey responses from conference participants were collected to determine if RiMC influenced attendees' comfort addressing racism and knowledge on the subject. Specifically, qualitative comments in the post-conference survey showed the confidence and encouragement that attendees attained during the event, namely, to speak about racial issues in medicine and healthcare amongst colleagues. The conference served as a platform for future healthcare professionals to strengthen their foundational knowledge on the topics by studying and implementing a safe space model. This construct was followed to encourage education and thereby a commitment to elimination of fear of retaliation and retribution when participating in anti-racism work.
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Copyright (c) 2023 Simran Kripalani, H-W. Banks, A. Sivendra, C. Rugama, I. DiBartolo (Author)
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