Critical Reflection to Investigate Medical Student Attitudes Toward Skin Tone in Their Preclinical Years. WMJ 2024 May;123(2):106-112
Date
05/08/2024Pubmed ID
38718238Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85192595537 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Implicit racial bias, defined as unreasoned judgement based solely on an individual's skin color, is a persistent barrier to quality medical care for people of color in the United States. Early, learner-centered intervention is crucial to establish cultural competence within health professional training programs.
METHODS: Over 3 academic years, preclinical, second-year medical students were asked to submit an anonymous critical reflection regarding skin tone in medicine (n=794). Critical reflection is an instructional approach that encourages students to investigate their own thoughts and actions. Course credit was given based on the honor system. Reflection submission content and student feedback were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively using constructivist thematic analysis.
RESULTS: Most students completed the assignment (93.0%) and reported feeling comfortable expressing themselves honestly in the anonymous format (84.6%). Students' comfort level with honesty declined if they would have had to identify themselves (50.8%). Student comments indicated relief to have a place to process experiences and emphasized the importance of anonymity for value of this assignment. Thematic analysis identified 2 themes and 13 subthemes among student submissions. Submissions varied in format and typically contained multiple codes (4.08 ± 1.77 subthemes), indicating that students participated meaningfully in the assignment.
CONCLUSIONS: Although some educators may hesitate to address these topics, students at our institution appreciated having a space to process their thoughts. This assignment structure is an effective way for educators to address a difficult, sensitive, and important topic in a meaningful way with students.
Author List
Thapar M, Dominguez E, Stark K, Neist J, Quirk K, Siker M, Fritz JD, Roth GM, Patitucci TAuthors
Jeffery Duane Fritz PhD Associate Director, Associate Professor in the Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy department at Medical College of WisconsinTeresa Patitucci PhD Associate Professor in the Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Gretchen M. Roth MD Associate Professor in the Dermatology department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Malika L. Siker MD Associate Dean, Professor in the Radiation Oncology department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultAttitude of Health Personnel
Cultural Competency
Education, Medical, Undergraduate
Female
Humans
Male
Racism
Students, Medical
United States
Wisconsin
