Cultivating Anti-Racism Allies in Academic Medicine

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Health Equity
• Social Determinants of Health

Background:

• Racial microaggressions and racially based remarks negatively impact physicians of color (Black, Latino/a/x, American Indian/Alaskan Natives).
• These incidents often go unaddressed within academic and professional settings.
• Marginalized physicians experience significant feelings of isolation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide actionable strategies for anti-racism allyship in medicine.
• To empower individuals and institutions to address and mitigate racial microaggressions.
• To foster a more inclusive academic environment for physicians of color.

Main Methods:

• The article outlines four key strategies for academic allyship.
• These strategies focus on proactive and reactive measures against racism.
• Emphasis is placed on integrating allyship training throughout medical education.

Main Results:

• Four strategies are proposed: being an upstander, sponsoring/advocating, acknowledging accomplishments, and challenging "standard fit" assumptions.
• Implementing these strategies can help dismantle systemic racism in academic medicine.
• Training all physicians in academic allyship is crucial.

Conclusions:

• Anti-racism allyship is essential for supporting physicians of color.
• Systemic changes are needed to address racial microaggressions in medicine.
• Education on allyship must be integrated across all levels of medical training to combat physician isolation and promote equity.