Racism as an Adverse Childhood Experience: An Interactive Workshop to Train Pediatricians to Address Racism in...

The objective of this study was to address critical gaps in pediatric medical education by developing and evaluating an interactive educational workshop on racism as an adverse childhood experience (ACE).

A team of developmental-behavioral pediatrics professionals used a best-practice curriculum development model of Kern's 6 steps to develop the workshop curriculum. Based on a targeted needs assessment, goals and objectives to address the topics of race and racism in clinical practice were developed. A variety of educational strategies (e.g., audience polls, videos, didactic presentations, experiential activities, and peer-guided case-based discussion and practice) were used to appeal to varied learning styles. Selection of strategies was guided by self-determination theory, an adult learning model that addresses the needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. The workshop was implemented at 2 national pediatric meetings and evaluated using participant polls and written program evaluation.

The workshop curriculum was well-received. Participants endorsed improvements in comfort level in talking about race/racism and demonstrated a significant change in preparation or comfort level for skills-based activities, including counseling families and offering resources to address experiences with racism, postworkshop. Participants endorsed intent to change clinical practice by discussing the issues of race and indicated a desire to receive additional training.

An interactive educational workshop on racism as an ACE was effective in improving pediatric professionals' comfort level and self-rated skills. Desire for a longer educational session suggests receptivity to longitudinal approaches. Replication and refinement of the educational workshop could clarify effective components of this approach. We advocate for longitudinal training curricula that incorporate observable behavior change and skills to increase and further evaluate the impact. Health care provider education and training to implement antiracism efforts in clinical encounters with patients and families can serve as an entry point to the complex process of addressing racism at multiple levels in health care.