A health care experience from an immigrant educator.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Psychology

Background:

• Implicit bias and microaggressions pose challenges in healthcare.
• Educators seek effective methods to address these issues with medical students.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the impact of facilitated small group discussions on medical students' understanding of implicit bias.
• To assess the effectiveness of case-based learning, drawing from personal experiences, in addressing microaggressions.

Main Methods:

• The author, in a director of diversity role, hosted small group discussions over two years.
• Discussions utilized case studies developed from the author's experiences.
• The focus was on observing student comprehension of microaggressions.

Main Results:

• The author found fulfillment in these discussions, indicating a positive engagement.
• The case-based approach facilitated deeper understanding and reflection among students.
• Direct observation allowed for assessment of student grasp on microaggression concepts.

Conclusions:

• Small group discussions are a valuable tool for medical education on sensitive topics like implicit bias.
• Case studies mirroring personal experiences can effectively illustrate complex issues such as microaggressions.
• Training well-rounded healthcare professionals requires addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion through interactive methods.