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Anti-Racism & Discrimination

Image by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦

Background

Racism and discrimination are experienced by many in the health system. Whether it an individual who is a patient or their support system, whether it is an employee or physician, or whether it is a learner in a formal training program, racism and discrimination can result in significant harm. For patients, this can result in worse care experiences and poorer health outcomes. For those working and learning in the health system, this can result worse experiences, barriers to advancement, and a diminished sense of belonging within the organizations and institutions to which they are embedded within.

While this space has been one often characterized by anger, fear, polarizing perspectives, and mistrust. We would propose a values-based approach (embedded with concepts of gratitude, humility, curiosity, listening, and reflection) that is applied in all situations.  We need to intentionally ensures that hatred and anger does not result in the oppressed becoming the oppressor as we attempt to address past injustices. Instead we would support the creation of opportunities for the sharing of diverse ideas and perspectives to create a space for critical dialogue based on deep reflexivity, authentic compassion, and shared humanity.  

Key Definitions & Concepts

Discrimination

An action or a decision that treats a person or a group badly for reasons such as their race, age or disability. (reference)

Equity-Deserving Groups (EDGs)

“..communities that experience significant collective barriers in participating in society. This could include attitudinal, historic, social and environmental barriers based on age, ethnicity, disability, economic status, gender, nationality, race, sexual orientation and transgender status, etc.” (reference)

Anti-Racism

Anti-racism is a process, a systematic method of analysis, and a proactive course of action rooted in the recognition of the existence of racism, including systemic racism. Anti-racism actively seeks to identify, remove, prevent, and mitigate racially inequitable outcomes and power imbalances between groups and change the structures that sustain inequities. (reference)

Equity

Attainment of fairness and justice, with imbalances addressed. (reference)

Health Equity

"Health equity is achieved when everyone can attain their full potential for health and well-being." (reference)

Social Justice

Approach promoting that each person has the right to the full spectrum of economic, political, and social rights and opportunities. (reference)

Articles & Books

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Article

= Book

Anti-Racism in CanMEDS 2025
Kannin Osei-Tutu et al

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Discrimination 911: A Novel Response Framework to Teach Bystanders to Become Upstanders When Facing Microaggressions
Jared Rubenstein et al.

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= EqHS Lab members

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= Tool

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= Website

Equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice in CanMEDS 2025
Cheryl Barnabe et al.

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Patterns of Ostracism Experienced by Canadian Medical Trainees of Asian Sub-ethnicities
Sun Young Kim et al.

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Toronto Academic Health Science Network
Introduction to Anti-Black Racism eLearning Module

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Podcasts

= EqHS Lab members

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From racism to anti-racism - examining the past and designing the future of medical education (CAME)
Kannin Osei-Tutu

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Embedding Equity & Diversity into the Healthcare System (CSPL)
Jerry Maniate

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Websites

Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)
Anti-Racism Education Collection

Black Physicians of Canada

Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada (IPAC)

Non-Endorsement Disclaimer
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